Wichita kids get free books for summer reading
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Nearly 2,800 elementary students across Wichita took home new books last week, thanks to a citywide effort to prevent summer learning loss and build literacy skills at an early age.
A total of 5,572 books were distributed to 2,786 K–3 students across 13 Wichita Public Schools as part of the 2025 Champions for Literacy initiative — a national campaign that pairs sports with reading advocacy. Each student received two books and additional resources to support reading at home.
The effort comes in response to sobering figures from the Kansas Department of Education showing that 77% of Wichita third graders were not reading proficiently in the 2023–2024 school year.
To help reverse that trend, United Way of the Plains, Wichita State University, and Wichita Public Schools partnered to raise funds and awareness through the Champions for Literacy campaign. The initiative culminated in special WSU men's and women's basketball games in February, where fans contributed 151 donations. With support from a matching grant by International Paper, the effort raised $25,142.
FDA moves to get rid of ingestible fluoride for kids
'Wichita State University is a powerful partner in our community's #ForceForGood,' Pete Najera, President and CEO of United Way of the Plains, said in a statement. 'This program provides help and hope for our local students and future Shockers.'
The initiative drew widespread support from more than 25 community organizations, with volunteers helping sort, package, and distribute books.
Books were delivered to students at the following elementary schools: Adams, Buckner, College Hill, Gordon Parks, Harry Street, Irving, Jackson, L'Ouverture, Mueller, Ortiz, Spaght, Washington, and Woodland.
To learn more about the Champions for Literacy initiative, visit championsforlit.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Looking for some behind-the-scenes stories? These two Eagle interns hope to have them
When a lot of Wichitans were hunkered down during Tuesday's rain deluge, Allison Campbell was trudging through Highland Cemetery, snapping photos for a Wichita Eagle article. The intrepid Campbell is one of two interns who are working for the publication this summer. Ainsley Smyth, who said she spent Tuesday 'safe in the office calling school board candidates,' is the other. Both live in Kansas and have attended Wichita State University, where Campbell just graduated and Smyth will be a senior. Campbell said she was a military brat who was born in Germany and spent a substantial amount of time in South Africa, where her mother was born, before her family eventually landed in Holton, Kan. That's where she graduated high school and her where her parents still live. 'My teenage angst was lived out there.' However, it was when she was visiting South Africa at around age 8 when the power of what journalism can do struck her. Campbell saw a copy of Time with a photo of a highway she knew in Johannesburg with an accompanying story on some of the most unequal places in the world. On one side of the road were dilapidated houses. On the other were more were beautiful homes with pools. 'That picture really, really stuck with me,' said Campbell, who had been born following apartheid. 'It opened my eyes in a way that I think was discomforting but was a much-needed discomfort.' An incredible high school journalism teacher further inspired her, as did getting to know the staff at the Sunflower at WSU. 'Their work was astounding.' Campbell's work came to be as well. She was named the Kansas Collegiate Media Journalist of the Year. 'It gives me goosebumps to be able to give back to people,' she said. Just like the Time photo did for her, Campbell said she likes that she can show diversity in communities so people 'can really transform how they live and conduct their lives.' Smyth, who is from Lenexa, wasn't interested in journalism until high school when she joined the newspaper staff where some friends were. That's when she found something else that journalism offers. 'I liked knowing sort of the behind the scenes of my school.' Smyth said she enjoyed having a different way to interact with teachers through her work, too. Last summer, Smyth interned at local NPR affiliate KMUW. This summer, she said she's likely going to cover a range of topics for The Eagle. So far, that includes an entertainment and environmental story and a look at improvements at Clapp Park. Smyth, who plans to make a career of journalism, said she hopes to do local government stories, too, for that same behind-the-scenes knowledge she sought in high school. 'That kind of interests me.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
L.W. Clapp Park reopens with inclusive playground, dog park
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — L.W. Clapp Memorial Park is officially open again after a major makeover. City leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to celebrate new additions to the park, including an inclusive playground, a dog park, upgraded trails, and a public art installation. The playground is located at 4611 E. Harry St., while the dog park, on the Bluff Street side of the former golf course, will open soon following additional maintenance. Should Evergy raise costs for Kansas customers? 'It's fantastic. We've had the fencing around it for the last month or so. Kids have been chomping at the bit to have an opportunity to get on the playground, so we're glad to have it open for them to enjoy,' said Reggie Davidson, with Wichita Park & Recreation. The playground features accessible routes to swings and clubhouse areas, with surface materials designed to support mobility for individuals of all abilities. 'We have great portions over here that are accessible—you have for wheelchairs to actually get in the area where the swings are… on the backside where they can actually get into the clubhouse area,' Davidson said. 'The surface itself was designed so individuals with any ability can actually navigate on the park.' Heavy rainfall caused delays due to flooding under the safety surfacing and displaced ground cover. 'We had some challenges here earlier, and our park maintenance team came out and did a really fantastic job making sure we were able to open up the playground today,' Davidson said. The dog park remains closed as staff continue safety work. The city continues to inspect and repair other park facilities affected by recent weather. Davidson encouraged residents to check the city's website or app for updates. 'The best option to get those continued updates is to look on our website under the alerts section, and you can also download our app—it will send you notifications as well,' he said. Wichita Park & Recreation invites the public to visit the revitalized park and explore its new, inclusive offerings. 'We encourage everyone to come out and try out all the new features and elements and enjoy the playground,' Davidson said. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
Sedgwick County Zoo welcomes third baby elephant
The video above aired on April 22, 2025. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Sedgwick County Zoo welcomed its third baby elephant this week. The African elephant calf was born early Tuesday morning to mother Arusi after 651 days of gestation. The average gestation period for an elephant is 18-22 months. The zoo has not yet confirmed the calf's gender. 'We are thrilled to welcome a third healthy calf,' said Katie Muninger, elephant manager at Sedgwick County Zoo. 'Three calves and three first-time moms have us all on our toes, but we're learning so much about the herd's social structure and each individual personality as we all settle into the new dynamic.' The new calf joins Bomani, born April 10, and Kijani, born April 14. The zoo says Bomani is already excited and curious about his new herdmate. 'Bomani, along with mom Talia and Simunye were present for the birth and have been a supportive presence for Arusi,' the zoo said in a news release. 'Kijani, his mother Xolani, and other herd members have had the opportunity to see the new arrival, but they are not together in the same space at this time.' Meet Chili: Lee Richardson Zoo welcomes giant anteater In April 2024, the SCZ announced that five elephants were pregnant after introducing Callee, a new male, to the herd in May 2023. While paternity tests take time, the zoo says there's a good chance all three calves share the same father and are half-siblings. 'In alignment with breeding recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums African Elephant Species Survival Plan, these additions to SCZ's herd are a reflection of the Zoo's commitment to support the health and sustainability of African elephant populations in North America,' the zoo said in the news release. Scott Newland, the zoo's president and CEO, previously said that if the pregnancies were successful, not only would they be the first elephants ever born in Kansas, but they would be the first zoo to have five African elephant births in a single year. Unfortunately, one of the pregnancies ended in a stillbirth in March. Visitors can expect to see at least one calf in the outdoor habitat daily, weather permitting. The zoo plans to release the name and gender of the calf live at 9 a.m. on the Today Show. For more information about the SCZ, visit their website or follow the zoo on Facebook. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
