Classroom Library Campaign blankets FWISD elementary schools with 130,000 books

WHAT: Classroom Library Campaign Celebration

WHERE: Carroll Peak Elementary School, 1201 E Jefferson Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104

WHEN: 2 p.m., Oct. 2, 2019

MORE INFO: Print and electronic media are welcome to attend and encouraged to arrive by 1:45 p.m.

RSVP: Media representatives are asked to RSVP at roxanne.martinez@readfortworth.org and/or artgarcia@readfortworth.org

Summary: – Read Fort Worth and community volunteers delivered more than 130,000 books to 84 Fort Worth ISD elementary schools over the summer, outfitting every Pre-Kindergarten through second grade teacher with 50-100 books for their individual classroom libraries. The Classroom Library Campaign is celebrating its completion with a special on-campus media event October 2 (2 p.m.) at Carroll Peak Elementary School. FWISD Superintendent Dr. Kent P. Scribner, Mayor Betsy Price, TXU Energy and Carroll Peak students will be participating.

Read Fort Worth’s Classroom Library Campaign is a comprehensive initiative developed with FWISD leaders ensuring young students and teachers have effortless and equitable access to high-interest, culturally-relevant books throughout the school day. The Campaign raised more than $320,000, allowing for an expansion from an initial target of approximately 40 elementary schools deemed to be high-need to all 84 District elementary schools. Read Fort Worth coordinated the volunteer effort that collectively unpacked, labeled and organized more than 130,000 books purchased from Scholastic. Every Pre-K class received 50 books, with first- and second-grade classes receiving 100 books each.

“The growth of the Classroom Library Campaign to include every elementary school in Fort Worth ISD is a great source of pride and the culmination of many stakeholders coming together to make a difference for our teachers and young learners,” Read Fort Worth Executive Director Elizabeth Brands said. “We’d love to thank our partners at the District and Scholastic for their continued support throughout the Campaign. We’d also like to extend a very special thanks to our community volunteers for their tireless efforts in sorting, packaging and delivering more than 130,000 books to all 84 schools. This amazing initiative would not have been possible with their help.”

Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Kent P. Scribner: “The Classroom Library Campaign aligns perfectly with the District’s mission to prepare all of our students for success in college, career and community leadership. Early literacy is one of the District’s fundamental goals and putting books in the hands of every child in every classroom for pre-K to second grade will make a significant difference in the gains being made daily in third-grade reading. On behalf of the District, we offer our heartfelt thanks to our community for supporting Read Fort Worth in such an impactful and transformative campaign.”

Mayor Betsy Price, City of Fort Worth: “The Classroom Library Campaign is an important resource in preparing all of our students for success. Providing books for every child in every classroom from pre-K to second grade will make great strides toward our goal of 100x25. It’s inspiring to see the entire community rallying behind Read Fort Worth’s mission and future leaders.”

Brad Watson, Senior Director of Community Affairs for TXU Energy: “As a DFW-based company, TXU Energy is invested in the people of Fort Worth and growing leaders right here at home. “Encouraging a love of reading sets students up for a lifetime of success.”

About Read Fort WorthRead Fort Worth exists to provide unique, actionable data; to organize and align partners under the shared 100x25 goal; to develop strategies for significant improvement, and to communicate best practices and drive results. For more information, visit www.ReadFortWorth.org.

-FWISD-