14-02-2025
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.
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State Sen. Marty Flynn speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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State Sen. Marty Flynn speaks to students during the program at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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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)
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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)
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State Rep. Jim Haddock speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Childrens author Jerry Pallotta speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Childrens author Jerry Pallotta speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Students cheer during the program at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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State Sen. Marty Flynn speaks to students at Riverside Elementary School in Moosic Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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'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.
