Sadly, Connecticut posts the largest achievement gap in the nation. Eighty-one percent of our Connecticut 4th graders eligible for free and reduced lunch scored below proficient in reading on their 2013 Connecticut Mastery Tests. That means less than 20% of our disadvantaged children are proficient readers. We can do better for our children and Reach Out and Read is proven to help.
"Reach Out and Read has given us the tools to encourage our families to
read to their babies and children, not only to promote language development and school
readiness, but also to improve and foster the bond between them. Since the implementation of this program, the notion of reading to babies, which was foreign to many of our families, has made a very positive change in their views, and we are very optimistic that this program will make a significant impact in the future of our young patients." Dr. Veronica Ron-Priola, MD of Danbury Hospital.
Reach Out and Read Connecticut is participating in Give Local 2015! This online giving event will last for 36 hours, starting May 5, 2015 at 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on May 6, 2015. Every dollar given to us through Give Local will be enhanced with bonus funds contributed by the Connecticut Community Foundation and other generous sponsors - stretching every donor dollar! We will also be eligible for cash prizes awarded throughout the 36-hour challenge!
Please help the children of Greater Waterbury become literate readers and achieve their full potential in school and in life. Be the change in a child's life. Thank you.
Kind regards,
Christine Garber
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