April 6, 2020
Innovating at a rapid pace for students learning at home
To the Â鶹¹ÙÍø community,
The last time I reached out, I emphasized that Â鶹¹ÙÍø is hyper-focused on developing programs nationally to support our students while they are out of school. In a very real sense, COVID-19 issued an unprecedented challenge to the Â鶹¹ÙÍø team, and I am proud to say that our team has answered the bell with vigor and urgency.
I am thrilled to share a long — and still growing — list of innovative programs we are quickly making available to our local teams to help address the literacy needs of Â鶹¹ÙÍø students and families (and in many cases, we’re making our programs available to all students and families).
The availability of specific programs will vary somewhat by region, but the following list reflects the current innovations we are offering as an organization.
Programs available to all students across the country
Live virtual read alouds
Â鶹¹ÙÍø teams are using online spaces, like Zoom, to facilitate live read alouds available to both Â鶹¹ÙÍø and non-Â鶹¹ÙÍø students.
Family texting program
We recently announced a  in partnership with . The program provides content-rich, literacy focused text messages in English and Spanish to parents and caregivers to help support young students while breaking down the digital divide. In the face of widespread COVID-19-related school closures, we’re excited to offer a free phone-accessible resource for all families across the country (texting and data rates may apply).
Families across the nation (and all of you) are invited to sign up by texting READÌý³Ù´ÇÌý274448 or by .
Take reading with you
Â鶹¹ÙÍø has collaborated with local student food distribution sites in select regions to safely send books and literacy activities home with students. To find out how you can donate books or contribute funds to buy books for distribution, please contact donate@readingpartners.org.
Family literacy resources
Â鶹¹ÙÍø has created a range of detailed,  for families in English and Spanish.
Literacy skill videos
Â鶹¹ÙÍø AmeriCorps members recorded short across grade levels using research-based curriculum materials. The videos show caregivers simple and effective activities they can do at home to help students practice a range of literacy skills while schools remain closed.
Digital library
Â鶹¹ÙÍø is currently partnering with Age of Learning who is offering , an advanced digital library and literacy platform for children through sixth grade. Students will be able to access thousands of high-quality books in English and Spanish. Books can be downloaded to a device and read in ‘offline’ mode.
Programs available exclusively to Â鶹¹ÙÍø students
Anytime read aloud videos
Â鶹¹ÙÍø AmeriCorps members will record virtual read aloud videos featuring high-quality diverse texts. Â鶹¹ÙÍø students and families will be able to access virtual read aloud links at any time.
Individualized reading plan skill videos
Â鶹¹ÙÍø AmeriCorps members will make videos of a specific individualized reading plan (IRP) skill. Each video will be targeted toward one Â鶹¹ÙÍø student and will be shared directly with the student’s parents/caregivers as a resource to support their student while schools are closed.
How you can help
Â鶹¹ÙÍø seeks to secure necessary funding to keep the organization responsive to the changing needs of the students and communities we serve. The best way to help create quality academic opportunities for students during this challenging time is to Those interested in making a major contribution can contact us at donate@readingpartners.org. Each gift will help ensure critical literacy resources reach students, whether in their classrooms or homes.
Unparalleled times call for unwavering action and support. I hope you are staying home and staying safe, and I sincerely thank you for staying engaged.
Be safe and be well,
Karine Apollon
CEO, Â鶹¹ÙÍø
We are currently recruiting volunteers for the fall 2020-21 school year.
