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The Denton Rotary Club is proud to present the Road to Reading Program for the third year. To date, this program has distributed over 6,950 books to our youngest learners. The Road to Reading program supports basic education and literacy along with community economic development. We do this by providing a free, age-appropriate book to each incoming Pre-K and Kindergarten student who will be joining Denton ISD. Books selected from the Step into Reading program which provides tools for those students who are beginning to read. The club purchases all books through our local, independent book shop so we keep our funds raised in our local community thus helping to develop our local economy.
The United Way of Denton County has completed its annual Community Needs Assessment for 2024, reiterating the need for this grant within the Denton community. Only 39% of economically disadvantaged Denton County third graders read at grade level, so it is critical to encourage reading and literacy when a student begins their elementary school career. Reading to young children is a crucial way to help them build language skills. It exposes them to new words and ways to use language. It also helps them learn general information about the world. Books can help children build empathy and learn how to manage challenging feelings.
It has also been reported through the United Way needs assessment that for fifteen consecutive years, the number of economically disadvantaged students in Denton County has increased. The current numbers show that 8% of Denton County Households live in Poverty, and 21% of Denton County Households are classified as ALICE families (Access Limited Income Constrained Employed). A family struggling to pay bills and fulfil basic needs cannot invest in book ownership for a home library. However, studies show that children who have books accessible at home are more likely to enjoy reading and have higher reading skills than those who do not.
This year we again hope to purchase approximately 2,500 books for distribution to the students in Denton ISD. To achieve this goal, we need to raise approximately $24,000 and this District Grant will help us meet that goal. We are proud to say we have been able to meet and even slightly exceed our goal over the past two years thanks to club funds, district support and an outpouring from the Denton community who believe in this product.
Rotarians will be involved by serving on the committee and executing assigned tasks, such as collecting individual school head counts in coordination with DISD. They will track the project's financials. They will coordinate the logistics, including picking up, labeling and distribution of books. All club members can be involved by supporting the project with monetary donations and sharing information about it with their circles of influence. Club members will also be able to participate in book distributions with students and parents this year where possible.
Books are purchased throughout the year as funds are collected. Distribution to individual schools is typically completed by the first week of April. Many schools choose to issue books to students through the annual Kindergarten Roundup programs with teachers, parents and students all in attendance.
Thank you for your consideration of this project again for this year.
Sources:
https://www.unitedwaydenton.org/denton-county-needs-assessment
https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/reading-to-children
https://junipereducation.org/blog/the-impact-of-owning-a-book/
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