Self-advancing slideshow: Dobbs Elementary School’s Reading Is Fundamental event. Photo: Allison M. Slocum APS ©
J.W. Dobbs Elementary School students recently celebrated National Literacy Month by picking out a new book to take home during a special event sponsored by Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Amazon.
The initiative is a part of RIF’s decades-long mission to address the nation’s literacy crisis, which this year has reached more than 27,000 children in underserved communities through its partnership with Amazon.
Between Aug. 15 and Sept. 16, Amazon employees nationwide celebrate their Global Month of Volunteering, where they engage in activities supporting children’s literacy, including packing and delivering literacy kits, developing book talks, and hosting book celebrations in several cities.
The new reading nook at Dobbs Elementary School, courtesy of Reading Is Fundamental and Amazon. Photo: Allison M. Slocum APS ©
For Dobbs Elementary School, the initiative donated 1,000 new books to their library and created a new reading nook featuring a mural of diverse authors. In addition, RIF sponsored a special event for students featuring author and former NFL running back Mack Desean Brown, who read from his book, “A Pup Named Bunch.”
“‘A Pup Named Bunch’ is inspired by my dog, Royal, who passed away a few years ago,” Brown said. “The book is about confidence for children. A lot of kids lose confidence early on. I want them to keep confidence as they get older. When you keep confidence, it makes a major impact on our world.”
Dobbs Elementary School principal, Tiffany Ragin, praised the event as a step forward in expanding opportunities for students to grow as readers.
“From this opportunity, I hope [there will be] more excitement about literacy from our scholars, and a place for them to come that’s different and nontraditional that will [make them] want to get a book to read and take home,” Ragin said.
Principal Tiffany Ragin and Mack Desean Brown (center) at Dobbs Elementary School’s Reading Is Fundamental event. Photo: Allison M. Slocum APS ©
Principal Ragin also sees the partnership as an opportunity to build on the school’s literacy curriculum.
“Increasing their curiosity for reading and our literacy scores is the ultimate goal,” Ragin said. “And ensuring we increase student achievement as they matriculate through each grade, through middle school, and beyond. We are preparing kids for college and careers, so we are so excited about this early foundational opportunity for literacy.”
Although no official plans exist for additional APS schools to receive Reading Is Fundamental and Amazon literacy donations this year, the success of the Dobbs Elementary School partnership inspired hope for future partnerships.
“We are really excited to be here; everyone’s been so welcoming. We hope to partner with Atlanta Public Schools in the future,” RIF program director Dianne Neville said.