Mainstreet Daily News
Scholastic Book Club recently chose Williams Elementary as part of its inaugural “United States of Readers” pilot program to help bridge the gap of literacy inequity.
As part of Scholastic initiative, every student at the Gainesville school received a catalogue where they could select two free books of their choice, according to an Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) press release.
Following a donation of $1.5 million from author James Patterson, Scholastic launched the “United States of Readers” program which is designed to address literacy inequity. These efforts will help bring books to 32,000 students, grades K-8, and 1,500 classrooms nationwide.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” said Jenni Roberson, assistant principal at Williams Elementary, in the press release. “To put great books into the hands of our kids, and books they can keep forever, you can’t put a price tag on that. It’s awesome.”
Following the first shipment of books in November, Williams Elementary will continue to receive books from Scholastic several more times throughout the year.
Scholastic launched the program in September. To learn more, click here.
