“Worcester: The city that reads” book drive a huge success

• Posted by Worcester News June 14, 2023 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #Worcester Public Schools  #Worcester Public Library  #John Monfredo  #Anne-Marie Monfredo  - 1,960 views

  By John Monfredo

  Retired Worcester Public Schools teacher and principal, former Worcester School Committee member

  

  John and Anne-Marie Monfredo (John Monfredo)

  “Worcester: the City that Reads” 19th annual K to grade 8 book drive, which started in late March will end this week, was a huge success.

  My wife and I started doing book drives year ago and have collected over a million books.

  We were able to collect more than 25,000 books this year and are now in the process after sorting them by grade levels, PreK to grade 3, grades 4-6 and grades 7-8. We are now sending them to the elementary schools in the Worcester Public Schools for summer reading. Books will also be distributed to homeless shelters, Head Start, and to nonprofit groups, private and public having summer school programs. We also received a good number of adult books that were sent to the Senior Center, Worcester Public Schools adult learning center and the Worcester Public Library.

  Over 25 sites across the city were involved as collection sites and we want to thank the many individuals within this community who contributed … the businesses, social organizations, and the many private and public schools and colleges that assisted in the drive. It was a real team effort! More than 300 volunteer hours went in this campaign.

  The books, during the drive, were stored at Worcester Technical High School garage area. Senior Custodian Paul Jarvis and his crew were a tremendous help to us and accommodated our needs for additional space. In addition, the WPS school’s facilities department assisted in transporting the books to many elementary and middle schools.

  We have started the summer reading process, but it can’t be done alone. We know that reading is most effective when parents or family members provide reading guidance. Parents, you are the key this summer. Our advice is to pick just one thing a week to kick start your week’s literacy adventures but include a wide range of literacy fun for the whole family. Be sure to embrace the theme of having your child read each day for 30 minutes. Remember, reading time does not take a vacation. Those who know how to read SUCCEED! Research has pointed out that children not reading in the summer months tend to lose two to three months of academic growth. This is known as the summer slide.

  According to the research on literacy, studies clearly indicate that the children in homes that have books are more likely to succeed in school. One study found that the ability to read well is the single best indicator of future economic success, regardless of one’s family background. Let me just end this story with a quote from the famous Walt Disney, “There is more treasure in books than in the entire pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” Thus, we as a community need to reach out to our parents and children and encourage read alouds, reading at home, reading in the park and reading for fun.

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