Latest news with #UnitedStatesofReaders
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Pa. State Legislature Celebrate Expansion of Scholastic Literacy Program: ‘Reading Is Definitely Fundamental'
Sheryl Lee Ralph celebrated the expansion of Scholastic's United States of Readers program with state lawmakers and students during a special event in Pennsylvania on May 7 The program will provide free grade and age-appropriate books to high Title I students in five school districts across the state "I'm thrilled that we're able to help people see the importance of education: not for some people, but for all the children," the Abbott Elementary actress tells PEOPLESheryl Lee Ralph and Pennsylvania lawmakers are marking an important literary May 7, the Emmy-winning actress celebrated the expansion of the United States of Readers program into Pennsylvania, alongside students, members of the State Legislature — including Ralph's husband, state senator Vincent Hughes — and Scholastic representatives. Ralph delivered remarks at a special event held at the Pennsylvania State House in United States of Readers program, founded by Scholastic and co-created alongside classroom teachers, is an initiative that 'aims to bridge the gap of literacy and book inequity,' per a statement shared with PEOPLE. The program is geared toward high Title I schools and rural areas, to help students build their home libraries and find books they're motivated to read. United States of Readers curates a selection of grade and age-appropriate books for students to choose from; the program currently distributes free books to nearly 3,500 Pennsylvania students, from Pre-K through eighth grade, across five school districts.'We were very excited when Pennsylvania in particular raised their hand last year and said that they wanted in,' Scholastic Chief Impact Officer Judy Newman tells PEOPLE. 'They wanted to bring the program to their kids, and the communities with the highest need.' Students participating in the United States of Readers program will have the opportunity to pick 10 new books to add to their home libraries free of charge, up until the following school year. Teachers at participating schools also receive 25 books for their classroom libraries. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories."When you choose books, you read more," Newman points out. Literacy is a cause that's near and dear to Ralph, ever since she learned of the United States of Readers program while backstage at her Abbott Elementary costar Lisa Ann Walters' comedy show.'I'm an educator's child. My dad was a lifelong learner and educator, so there were always books, always some way to expand [the] mind and the world as you saw it,' Ralph tells PEOPLE. 'Books have an amazing way of expanding your imagination. Because of books, I have a great imagination.' is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more!Ralph joined the Abbott cast as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard, in part, due to her passion for education. She calls the show 'the gift that just keeps on giving,' as students at the event also received two free Abbott Elementary books published by Scholastic. Pennsylvania marks the second state to launch the United States of Readers program, which intends to expand nationwide. Massachusetts launched the initiative in Oct. 2024, following a two-year pilot program, funded by bestselling author James Patterson in 2021. The pilot program served 45,000 students across all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!'As the year went on, [students] developed their confidence,' Newman says of the pilot program. 'They chose longer books, they individuated more, which was beautiful to see because they were able to say, 'I'm a reader. I have an identity as a reader now because I chose, and these are my books.''Ralph also agrees that the United States of Readers will be beneficial for students' continued education.'Reading is definitely fundamental,' Ralph says. 'I'm thrilled that we're able to help people see the importance of education: not for some people, but for all the children that we have in these United States.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania becomes second state to launch United States of Readers program
(WHTM) — Pennsylvania recently became the second state to launch the United States of Readers program. Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education, and media company, joined Pennsylvania state lawmakers today to celebrate the program's expansion into the state. According to Scholastic, the U.S. of Readers program is a literacy program created to combat book inequity in Title I schools and rural areas. Scholastic says the program aims to allow students in these communities to read books they want. The program currently provides free books to 3,500 pre-K through 8th-grade students in five school districts in Pennsylvania, including the School District for the City of York. According to Scholastic, other districts already participating in the program include the School District of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh School District, Pittston Area School District, and Riverside School District. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania 'Year after year, literacy assessments capture how our schools cannot bridge the literacy gaps on their own. The mission of the United States of Readers program is for every child to choose and own their books and feel happy and empowered about reading,' said Judy Newman, Scholastic's Chief Impact Officer.'We are thrilled to celebrate the expansion of this program into Pennsylvania, where Scholastic was founded over 100 years ago, with members of the State Legislature and fierce education advocate Sheryl Lee Ralph. We hope these districts will be a model for others across the country, so every child can reap the benefits of choosing their own books and developing their reading proficiency and self-confidence as readers.' According to data from the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, 90% of kids say their favorite books are ones they choose themselves. The program, which starts this Spring, will allow Pennsylvania students to pick ten books to add to their at-home libraries at no cost. Sheryl Lee Ralph, an Emmy Award-winning actress who plays educator Barbara Howard on Abbott Elementary, spoke at the Pennsylvania State House in Harrisburg today. 'As my character, kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard would say, 'You must get things done,' and that is exactly what the State Legislature and Scholastic are doing by bringing this program to Pennsylvania,' said Ralph. 'Literacy is critically important to our students and a powerful tool to open doors and pave the way for a successful future. It is wonderful to be here to support today's event and I cannot think of a better way for Abbott Elementary to play a meaningful role in supporting education for students, teachers, and our communities—right here in Pennsylvania.' Massachusetts was the first state to launch the program back in October 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
National literacy program launched at Riverside elementary school
MOOSIC — A national program providing free books to students was launched at Riverside Elementary East. Officials from publishing company Scholastic joined area legislators Thursday afternoon to kick off United States of Readers, a national literacy program run by Scholastic giving students in grades pre-K to eight in underresourced schools access to books of their choosing. Students get to select 10 books a year, with teachers receiving 25 books for their classroom. The books are free to all students. Judy Newman, Scholastic's chief impact officer, congratulated the assembled crowd of students in grades three to six and their teachers on being the first school district in the state to have the program and thanked state Rep. Jim Haddock, D-118, Pittston Twp., and state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, for their support. Both lawmakers stressed the importance of reading and shared their excitement about the program with the students. Haddock said reading and access to books are crucial for students to read at their grade level. The program will also encourage students to read for fun. 'You get to pick what you're going to read,' Flynn said. Children's book author Jerry Pallotta offered a presentation detailing his career, which began with reading to his four children. He also described how the ocean, fishing and boating trips in his native Massachusetts, as well as travels around the world, inspired his books — including his 'Who Would Win' book series, which compares the abilities of different animals. Pallotta told the students they can learn lots of information from books. The presentation concluded with teachers passing out copies of his book 'Who Would Win: Lobster vs. Crab' after the presentation, and Haddock, joined by students, unveiling boxes of books. Sixth graders Isabella Castro and London Ephraim are excited to have free books in their school. * State Sen. Marty Flynn speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * State Sen. Marty Flynn speaks to students during the program at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * State Sen. Marty Flynn and state Rep. Jim Haddock listen to the program at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * State Rep. Jim Haddock greets third-grade student Michael Thorne before the program at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * State Rep. Jim Haddock speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Childrens author Jerry Pallotta speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Childrens author Jerry Pallotta speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Students cheer during the program at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 8 State Sen. Marty Flynn speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand 'It's giving a lot of kids who don't have the money to buy books an opportunity to read what they want,' Castro said. They also like that it exposes them to different kinds of books. Officials at Scholastic launched the program in the fall, initially starting in Massachusetts, and plan to expand it to other districts in the state that receive federal Title I funds. Haddock said after the presentation he set aside $200,000 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for the program. Riverside Superintendent Paul Brennan said the program, which started at Riverside Elementary East and West last month, has been good for the district. 'This is a really important literacy program. Senator Flynn and Representative Haddock really went out and found some funding for us to kick-start some of the literacy initiatives that the school board and myself and the principals have had,' he said. 'It's all high-quality books, and there's no price tag, which is the best.' Lawmakers have taken steps to help school districts provide better reading instruction, approving a bill last fall providing reading curriculums, screenings and teacher trainings in the science of reading.
