| Reach Out and Read Tidbits | Reach Out and Read CEO, Earl Martin Phalen, wins the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network's Excellence Award in Leadership!
Congratulations Earl!
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
Earl also speaks to MSNBC about summer learning.
 Dr. Perri Klass, Reach Out and Read's National Medical Director, talks about the importance of reading aloud to babies in this New York Times article on April 15, 2011.
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| Connecticut Stats! | | |
44 clinical locations
47,248 children served
57,818 new books distributed annually
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Reach Out and Read New England
Connecticut Newsletter Summer 2011
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Our newsletter has information for providers, coordinators, volunteers, and partners ... so be sure to forward it to your pediatric and family practice staff as well as to friends, volunteers and supporters. Send us email addresses and we'll make sure they automatically receive our quarterly newsletter!
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Dear Reach Out and Read Colleagues,
The other day my 12 year old daughter, Cailyn, said to me, "I can't wait for school to be done so I can just READ!" Music to a mother's ears. Cailyn has a long summer reading list: the Warriors series, by Erin Hunter (whom she had the pleasure of meeting this spring); Life As We Knew It, by Susan Beth Pfeffer; and Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, by Jordan Sonnenblick. All her planning made me wonder what my summer reading list will be. Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese, and Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, both sit on my desk dying to have their bindings broken.
But before you open up your new beach read, take a minute to open up the new Reach Out and Read online training materials! If it is, you could win $100 towards your Scholastic pre-paid account. Please read my article on "Reach Out and Read's Summer Training Challenge" for more details. What Connecticut Reach Out and Read Program couldn't use $100?
Summer reading lists, summer vacations, school's out for the summer-- Reach Out and Read has its own exciting summer plans.
- We have partnered with the Wiggles, that famous Australian children's musical group, for their 2011 American tour. Donations from ticket sales benefit Reach Out and Read.
- Our second annual "Summer of a Million Books" campaign launched on June 21.
- At the end of every summer we invite legislators to visit Reach Out and Read Programs in their home district.
And by summer's end, I hope to have met every Coordinator at our 44 Sites, I'm nearly there already! It continues to be such a pleasure to work together to improve the quality of the Reach Out and Read Programs here in Connecticut. As always, please don't hesitate to call or email me with questions, concerns, or your good ideas. Together we are working to bridge the literacy gap that exists for Connecticut's youngest and most vulnerable children. Thank you for all you do toward that end. Happy summer!
 Chris Christine Garber, MBA Connecticut Programs Director Reach Out and Read New England
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Medical Director's Note
Are you getting the most "bang for your book?"
In this time of economic challenge and limited resources, we have an obligation to be sure we are making the most of our program. For this reason, Reach Out and Read focuses nationally and regionally on program quality. One simple step toward maximizing the benefits of giving out a book is to do so at the beginning of the visit. A book is much more that a Band Aid or sticker given when the child is crying and the parent has mentally moved on to the next item on the to-do list. The book is an investment in the child's future as a reader, and a tool to learn more about the child and family.
Giving a book at the beginning of the visit often affords the healthcare provider a few precious moments to discuss the child's progress while she checks out the pictures. The book creates a ready opportunity to perform developmental surveillance and to observe parent-child interaction. Frequently the book serves as a stimulus for speech, both by the parent and the child. Visual attention, fine motor skills and other developmental skills can be directly observed rather than queried.
Imagine a visit in which you give an 18- month-old child a book and observe as he points to the object his mother has just named, and looks over his shoulder to check her expression. This very brief encounter facilitates efficient, direct observation of receptive language (recognizing the word), cognition (drawing a connection between an object and a picture), fine motor skills (isolating one finger), nonverbal communication (protoimperative pointing), joint attention and more. Sharing these observations with a parent early in the visit indicates your interest in the child's developmental progress and generates an avenue for further discussion of future developmental and behavioral expectations. Now that's quite a "bang for your book!"
Sincere Regards,
Cathy
Dr. Catherine Wiley
Connecticut Medical Director
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Reach Out and Read's Summer Training Challenge!
Are you ready for a challenge this summer?
Our challenge to all Reach Out and Read providers in Connecticut is to complete Reach Out and Read's online, CME course by August 31st. Put the Reach Out and Read CME course on your summer reading list!
Reach Out and Read is committed to excellence, both in the quality of our books and in our provider education. Reach Out and Read's quality improvement goal requires all current providers to view this important material. In an effort to help your program reach this goal, we have created a summer incentive for Connecticut programs.
All Sites that have 100% provider completion by August 31 will be automatically entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate. $100 will be placed into the winner's Scholastic prepaid account to be used toward books for their Reach Out and Read Program. Who can't use $100 worth of free books!
Of course, the real incentive is the additional quality and education you will be providing to your patients after having been re-trained on Reach Out and Read best practices and our three-part model. Fourteen evidence-based studies prove that when Reach Out and Read is practiced with fidelity, results ensue.
o Pediatricians encourage and support parents' aspirations for their children's cognitive and academic success making them more ready and able to play their important roles in fostering their child's literacy development.
o Consequently, parents read aloud more often. Children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies and increased receptive and expressive reading skills, and they develop a love of books.
Please, take the time right now to login to www.myROR.org to complete your provider training, not only for the chance to win $100, but also for the chance to change the lives of so many children in Connecticut.
The winner will be notified and mentioned in the September newsletter along with a list of the Sites who completed the Summer Training Challenge. Don't let your Site be the only one not on the list!
If you have any problems or questions, please do not hesitate to contact Christine Garber for assistance.
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Reach Out and Read Launches
"Summer of a Million Books" Campaign!
On the first day of summer, Reach Out and Read launched its second annual summer campaign to give one brand-new, age-appropriate book to one million children in need before International Literacy Day on September 8. "Research shows that if you intervene in the first five years of life and partner with parents, you can dramatically improve the early literacy skills of a child. This puts them on the track for success in school and in life," says Reach Out and Read CEO, Earl Martin Phalen. "Childhood development experts tell us that the most important thing that parents can do to prepare their children to succeed in school is to read aloud to them every day. That's what the Summer of a Million Books is all about." - How can Connecticut residents help? Donate a book or sponsor a child online through Reach Out and Read's Virtual Book Drive.
- Organize a book drive for the Reach Out and Read Program in your community.
- Most importantly, read to the children in your life every day.
The Summer of a Million Books campaign unites Reach Out and Read pediatricians and family physicians at more than 4,600 hospitals and clinics across the country in their mission to prepare America's youngest children to succeed in school. In order to accomplish that goal, Reach Out and Read's doctors and nurse practitioners must distribute 25,600 books every day between Monday, June 21 (First Day of Summer), and Thursday, September 8 (International Literacy Day). Please help us reach our goal! Learn more about the Summer of a Million Books campaign here: http://www.reachoutandread.org/summer/ |
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The results are in! Reach Out and Read Programs across the state received nearly $20,000 in new book donations during Borders' spring book drive. Thank you to Borders, Farmington, Borders Express, Westfarms Mall, and Borders, Meriden for choosing Reach Out and Read as their spring book drive recipient.
In tough economic times as these, where our federal funding has been eliminated; we deeply appreciate the generous donations given by organizations like Borders. I hope to continue to work with Borders on future book drives.
Thank you to all our Connecticut Reach Out and Read Programs that participated in this book drive by picking up your book donations at your chosen location. I heard nothing but praise for your promptness.
Additionally, thanks to Sandra Sottile, RN from Charter Oak Health Center, Inc., who volunteered at the in-store event at the Meriden Borders store. Sandra did a wonderful job promoting Reach Out and Read to the customers on Saturday, April 23. She educated the customers about our work and encouraged them to donate a book to Reach Out and Read. Sandra was also recently married, so here's a double dose of congratulations, Sandra!
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Local Support Found in Madison, CT
A BIG thank you to Circle Nursery School and KH Ryerson Elementary School, both of Madison, CT, for their generous donations to Reach Out and Read Connecticut. Circle Nursery School collected gently used books for Reach Out and Read during their Literacy Week. The book donations went to Community Health Center, Inc. in New London to be used in their waiting room as well as for siblings and sick visits. KH Ryerson Elementary school had their annual used book sale and donated the proceeds, $309.00, to Reach Out and Reach Connecticut Programs. They also donated the unsold used books to Reach Out and Read which were delivered to Sites in Manchester and Fairfield County this month. We greatly appreciate all the local support we receive! Thank you!  |
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Duke Alums Engage
CT alumni support Reach Out and Read during their world-wide "Support Communities During DAE Week 2011."
Duke Alums Engage is a worldwide program that takes the experience of volunteering to a more meaningful level. Nearly 1,000 Duke alumni in 42 cities across the country and around the world took on ambitious projects to serve their communities from April 23 - May 1. The Hartford-area Duke Alum's partnered with Reach Out and Read for a three-part project this year!
On April 30, 11 Hartford Duke Alums hosted a new book drive at Borders in Farmington, CT. In addition to promoting Reach Out and Read and encouraging customers to purchase a book to donate to the Program, they also offered free gift wrapping services. Monetary donations were also encouraged and used to purchase additional books at the end of the day for Reach Out and Read. Thank you to David Battaglino, General Manager of Borders, Farmington, for hosting this book drive with us.
"Duke Day at Primary Care" was held on May 17 when Hartford Duke Alums were volunteer readers at the Primary Care Center waiting room at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. Giant books and other materials were available to readers, as well as books to distribute to children while they waited. The Primary Care Center (PCC) at CT Children's Medical Center is the primary medical office for nearly 15,000 children, and serves a diverse and highly vulnerable population (94% very low income, 85% ethnic minorities, nearly 50% non-English speaking) who are at high risk for difficulty reading and ultimately for school failure.
And finally, the Hartford alums ran a used book drive for Reach Out and Read to benefit Asylum Hill Family Practice in Hartford. Seven boxes of gently used books were collected to be used in the waiting room as well as distributed to siblings and at sick visits.
Kudos to Betty Ann Grady for choosing Reach Out and Read, and for coordinating these many wonderful volunteer opportunities!
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Day Kimball Healthcare's Thompson Pediatric Center hosts U.S. Representative Joe Courtney on behalf of Reach Out and Read!
On Tuesday, April 26, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, read to children at Day Kimball Healthcare's Thompson Pediatric Center. Congressman Courtney sat down on the floor to be closer to this pint-sized group of eight, who listened raptly to his animated narration of How Do Dinosaurs Clean their Rooms and Maybe a Bear Ate It . The highlight of the read-aloud was when the children happily joined in as he read, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, clearly a fan favorite.
Along with the children, many parents were in the audience as well as Dr. Krista Matsen of Day Kimball Healthcare, Charlene Leith-Bushey, Director of Communications, Day Kimball Healthcare, Katie Ahearn, Manager of External Affairs, Reach Out and Read and the local press. To see a clip and read more about this visit click here: Norwich Bulletin
After reading to the children, Representative Courtney then toured their Reach Out and Read Program, and Dr. Krista Matsen explained the importance of Reach Out and Read to the families attending the Thompson Pediatric Center.
Thank you Day Kimball for hosting Representative Courtney! Thank you Rep. Courtney for being a longtime supporter of Reach Out and Read and the children we serve!
Legislative visits are an excellent way to spread the word about the work of Reach Out and Read and to highlight your individual Reach Out and Read Program. Given our recent federal funding cuts, now is more important than ever to engage our legislators! If you are interested in hosting a legislative visit, please contact Christine Garber. We strongly recommend that you do!
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The Wiggles! Big Birthday Tour!
The world-famous Wiggles have announced that Reach Out and Read is their official charity partner of their 2011 American tour! This summer, Reach Out and Read and The Wiggles will work to raise awareness about the importance of parental involvement and reading aloud to young children! Join The Wiggles, Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and all the Wiggly Dancers as they celebrate their Big Birthday in Wallingford! Be sure to attend!
The Wiggling commences at Toyota Presents the Oakdale Theatre on Tuesday, July 19th at 3:00 PM. A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales at this venue will be used to support Reach Out and Read Programs in Connecticut.
Tickets for the Wallingford performance are on sale now,and are available online at LiveNation.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Prices range from $21 - $81 (additional facility fees, service charges and $.50 donation to Reach Out and Read may apply). $81 tickets in the Wiggles VIP section are limited, and will include the best seats in the house, an exclusive gift, an activity sheet and a chance to dance along with The Wiggles themselves!
For more information, please visit the Wiggles' website.
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