Local businesses collaborate to enhance reading proficiency in area schools
In the heart of Athens, Georgia, a unique literacy initiative named 'Get Comfortable' is making waves. This initiative, supported by Creature Comforts Brewing Company and over 40 local businesses, is redefining community engagement and the importance of literacy.
At the forefront of this movement are educators who emphasise the significance of literacy as involving listening, thinking, writing, and reading. Dr. Jennifer Scott, Interim Superintendent of the Clarke County School District, underscores this importance.
The initiative is a partnership with the nonprofit, Books for Keeps. Through this collaboration, students have access to free books, a valuable resource in preventing summer learning loss. Second graders at Howard B. Stroud Elementary School, for instance, receive a dozen books each summer from Books for Keeps.
The program matches students with reading mentors from local businesses and Books for Keeps. At Howard B. Stroud Elementary School, students meet twice a week with reading mentors throughout the school year. This personalised approach is proving to be effective, with literacy gains within the two schools involved in the program being between two and three times greater than their controlled counterparts.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the program, according to Stevens from Creature Comforts Brewing Company, is seeing children who struggle with reading improve through the program. Community members at Creature Comforts are not just brewing beer, they are brewing change through this literacy initiative.
The success of the program is being closely tracked by UGA researchers, and the data is promising. The initiative is expanding, with Fowler Drive Elementary now benefiting Clarke County students. Additionally, the 5th and 12th Elementary Schools of Athens are also part of the initiative.
Educators encourage families to support reading habits at home. Simple acts like reading aloud, listening to audiobooks, or simply reading each night can make a significant difference. The next great team victory, according to the article, might be found in the pages of a good book in Athens.
As the University of Georgia prepares for its season opener, the community's focus on literacy initiatives is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of education. Local businesses are providing generosity to support this cause, ensuring that the love for reading continues to grow in Athens.
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