Literacy Fair Promotes Reading by Third Grade
Read on Greater Phoenix Reaches out with Books, Resources to Improve Literacy
Valley of the Sun United Way invites the media to join us for the first Read On Greater Phoenix Literary Fair on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Riverside Traditional School in Phoenix. The event is part of the Read On Arizona initiative, our local partnership of the national Campaign for third-grade reading and helps advance United Way’s strategic focus to ensure that children and youth succeed. Working alongside diverse community partners including schools, non-profits, foundations and local municipalities, the literacy fair will bring vital resources to school families and students to promote the importance of literacy. Reading fluently by third grade is vital to academic success in school and sets a strong foundation for accomplishment in college and career. Consider this:
• Reading to a child frequently helps build their language skills
• Eighty percent of a child's brain develops by age 3 and 90 percent by age 5
• By 3rd grade students are reading to learn in school
• Approximately, 25 percent of Arizona fourth-graders are prepared to read proficiently
• Children who are read to at least three times weekly are nearly twice as likely to score in top 25 percent in reading
WHAT: Read on Greater Phoenix Literacy Fair
The event will allow media a look at the Greater Phoenix Read On partnership at a first-of-its-kind literacy fair featuring experts and a variety of resources for families with literacy tips that make helping kids read by third grade easy. Media will be welcome to speak to experts about easy to follow literacy tips and the importance of reading proficiently. Arizona Cardinals’ defensive end Calais Campbell will read to children and share support the importance of literacy among our youth
The event will also feature fun literacy games, arts and crafts as well as United Way’s School Readiness kits, characters, reading and development assessments and information about local resources. Children will take home books from a book drive led by United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council and supported by community members, to help ensure they have a min-library at home.
WHEN: Open by Invitation to School
Saturday, January 26, 9 a.m. – noon
Best Media Times are 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cardinals’ defensive end Calais Campbell reads to kids 10:30 – 11 a.m. (available for media interviews pre and post reading)
WHERE: Riverside Traditional School, 1414 South 51st Avenue, Phoenix
About Valley of the Sun United Way:
Valley of the Sun United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing three community objectives: increasing financial stability of individuals and families, ending hunger and homelessness and ensuring children and youth succeed. For more information visit, www.vsuw.org
About Read On Greater Phoenix:
Read on Greater Phoenix is a network of community partners committed to strategies that advance literacy and success among children and youth in the greater Phoenix region. The network includes community education leaders and advocates: Valley of the Sun United Way, Mesa United Way Arizona Center for After School Excellence, Arizona Literacy and Learning Center, Arizona K-12 Center, Arizona Ready Education Council, Association for Supportive Child Care, ASU Preparatory Academy Literacy Center, Balsz Elementary School District, Children’s Action Alliance, City of Phoenix, City of Phoenix Libraries, City of Phoenix Human Services Department-Head Start Division, City of Phoenix Recreation, Educare Arizona, Everybody Wins AZ, Expect More Arizona, First Things First, Public Broadcasting System, Phoenix Elementary School District, Riverside Elementary School District, Stand for Children, Southwest Human Development, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust and Helios Education Foundation, a funding partner.