Make the016.com a preferred choice with Google by clicking here
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.
What else is happening in and around Worcester? Click here or keep scrolling ⤵️
Make the016.com a preferred choice with Google by clicking here
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:23). High of 75 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Worcester police ask for help finding missing girl
-Worcester police ask for help finding missing 14-year-old
-Shrewsbury shooting victim ID'd as Kevin Doherty, 56; suspect arraigned
-Related: New details revealed in deadly shooting of Shrewsbury dad (3:03)
-Related: Suspect’s criminal history includes machete attack, fights
-Related: Machete attack victim says suspect should have been in jail (2:46). Article
-Related: Suspect who allegedly killed Shrewsbury father is held without bail (2:32)
-Earlier: Shrewsbury father shot to death after walking 6-year-old child to school (2:58). Article
-Firefighters battle blaze at scrap metal site in Worcester
-Webster woman in court after allegedly causing bomb scare at convenience store (:32). Article
-Worcester motorcyclist killed in crash with tractor-trailer remembered
-Goodbye trash, and pounds: City D.P.W. crews make clean sweep of streets
-Spotted lanternfly detected in 13 Worcester County cities and towns: How to stop the spread
>POLITICS: Meet the candidates: Jermoh Kamara on health, schools, community
-The016.com announces political ad packages
-WCCA-TV's WCCA-TV Primary Candidate Forum (41:14)
>DINING OUT: New Worcester Mediterranean restaurant announces official opening date
-ICYMI: Worcester man charged with killing his toddler son in Ohio ordered held without bail
-Worcester police ask for help finding missing 14-year-old
-Traffic delays after tractor-trailer gets stuck under bridge in Worcester
-State Police recruit from Worcester died from blunt force injuries, family attorney says (2:21). Article
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden recreation fields formally opened
-America's newest game show, filmed at Lamoureux Ford (1:40)
-September Among Friends senior newsletter
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): It’s the Spencer Fair!
-It's the first year at the new David Prouty High. Here's what it looks like
-Dudley man arrested after shoving officer during intoxicated dispute at home
-Man charged after crashing into pole and tearing through yards in West Boylston
-Sample ballot for September 8th Paxton vote
-Leominster residents urge council to reverse Orchard Hill zoning to block apartment project
-D.J. or band needed for Rutland Sock Hop
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Saturday
-Jazzed Up Trio at Pinecroft Dairy 5 p.m. Sunday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Chainsmokers at Breakaway Festival, KC and the Sunshine Band and more ...
-"Whirlwind": Worcester fans raise money for movie about cycling legend Major Taylor
-King Richard's Faire opens new location in Carver for 44th season
-Design a bookmark for this Worcester Public Library contest
>OPINION: Stacey Kenneally: Finding our way — Wins with my sensory child
-First Person: In matters of faith, Joe Fusco Jr. looks for "returns"
-WCCA-TV's What It’s Worth No. 478 (28:59): Movie Reviewers
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to nurse who worked at UMass Memorial for 33 years
>SPORTS: Patriots release veteran safety Jabrill Peppers in surprise move
-Patriots unveil new alternate uniform for Week 13 game vs. Jets
-Red Sox lose to Pirates, 4-2
-Red Sox release Walker Buehler to end $21 million debacle
-WooSox lose to Durham, 5-3
-Worcester Academy basketball legend joins athlete advisory board for Boston Legacy FC
>NATIONAL: Middle schoolers shielded younger students using buddy system during school shooting
-Radio Worcester (13:19): McGovern warns of capital militarization, vows to reintroduce Epstein files amendment
>TRAGIC: Bullfighter gored to death in shocking arena attack in Portugal (2:01)
>NEW ENGLAND: State Police enforcing Move Over law over Labor Day weekend
-I.C.E. has arrested more noncriminals than criminals in Mass. this year: See stats
>COLLEGES: Assumption welcomes its newest Hounds
-WPI biomedical engineering professor receives $630,000 grant for fibrosis study
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 8 of the world's biggest natural arches
>BUSINESS: New inflation data factors into the Fed's interest rates decision
-LPL Financial Research: Grand ideas at the Grand Tetons
-Can a resolution be reached at Market Basket next week? (17:15)
>SHOPPING: Wayfair Labor Day sale | Save up to 80%
>HEALTH: CVS restricts COVID shots in 3 states, including Mass.
-Caffeinated coffees are mostly free of toxins, with a few exceptions
>FOOD: Kellogg's becomes first company to sign binding agreement removing toxic dyes from cereals
>TV/STREAMING: New shows & movies to watch this weekend
>MOVIES:New movies on streaming: "Together," and more
>CELEBRITY: Bruce Willis' wife reveals his "scary" symptoms pre-dementia diagnosis
-Idris Elba admits he's never watched "The Wire"
>ANIMALS: Dumped neglected dog learns to be a puppy again (1:49)
>HISTORY: What is gerrymandering? You can trace its history back to Mass.
>GOOD NEWS: Needham girl's book about cancer journey features police pup who escorted her home
-Meanwhile, Bermuda Triangle mystery solved? This scientist’s theory is making big waves (4:53)
Latest obituaries | | Friday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | Help Wanted | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather