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From the Director
My favorite childhood story is one my dad made up about my horse, Dobbin, and how I would ride him to the little red schoolhouse. It was also my dad who got me to question the world by encouraging me to read everything—books, magazines, journals, newspapers—and to engage with others so I would learn to appreciate diverse viewpoints. How can we—as individuals and communities—help today’s children learn to read well?
These kinds of personal stories and questions are inspiring rich conversations in communities across the state at “Literacy Changes Lives” Civic Dinners. This partnership between Civic Dinners and the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy brings together small groups to break bread, share stories, and strategize about how to foster Georgia’s next generation of readers.
Kati Cosby of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) recently hosted her first civic dinner in Savannah. Check out this blog post about her experience—and then sign up to host a dinner in your community! We can’t wait to hear about the ideas these gatherings spark to help Get Georgia Reading.
With gratitude,
Arianne
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#GetGAReading this Month
Please share this post on your own social media platforms this month.
 Hey, #GA kids: It’s time to sharpen those pencils and get creative! The @GPBEducation – @PBSKIDS Writers Contest is officially open. The deadline to enter is Friday, March 29. https://bit.ly/2FyCbvu
 Encourage writing & creativity with the GPB Education – PBS KIDS Writers Contest, open to #GA students in grades K – 3. The deadline to enter is Friday, March 29. https://bit.ly/2FyCbvu
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MEET THE CABINET
 In his role as the District 5 representative on the Georgia Board of Education, Kenneth Mason works with his colleagues to advance the Campaign’s four-pillar agenda in the state’s 181 school districts to support the success of 1.6 million students. He’s also helping to introduce Georgia’s data-driven approach across the southern region—and the nation—through his involvement with the Southern Regional Education Board and the National Association of State Boards of Education. Learn More
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 Increasing Access to Books in Athens
The Athens Housing Authority covers the cost for all children ages 0 – 5 living on its properties to enroll in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to receive a book in the mail each month. Readers in grades K – 5 grow home libraries through Books for Keeps (BFK), which provides 12 self-selected books to help prevent summer slide. BFK Board President Sheneka Williams is collecting and analyzing data on BFK’s impact.
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 Georgia Receives Preschool Development Grant
Georgia was awarded a $2.9 million Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education. This program, established under the Every Student Succeeds Act, aims to improve states’ early childhood landscapes and foster connections across early learning programs and K – 12 systems. Learn about DECAL’s plans for the grant funding.
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 School-based Health Clinics Convert Atlanta's Medical Deserts to Medical Oases
Atlanta Public Schools are promoting students’ health and attendance with full-service medical centers housed in five schools. Doctors, nurses, and dentists provide physical, dental, and mental health services to students and local residents who lack access to health services. Find out why increasing “seat time” matters.
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 Student Researchers Investigate Causes of Chronic Absenteeism
One in three students in Newark, N.J.—including more than 20 percent of children in preschool through third grade—was considered chronically absent last year. A team of student-researchers, in partnership with Rutgers University-Newark, is working to identify and address issues that cause peers to miss school. The team uncovered a “heap of reasons” for absenteeism.
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Free Books for Read Across America Day
The Literacy Empowerment Foundation (LEF) invites your school or literacy project to apply for free books for Read Across America Day on Saturday, March 2. Resources are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Orders must be received by Monday, Feb. 11. LEF distributed more than 3,000,000 books in 2018 to schools and programs across the country.
Unlocking Access in Clarke County: Two-Generation Survey Findings
Twenty community partners in Athens-Clarke County came together as part of the Parents and Children Thriving Together (PACTT) pilot to develop and implement two-generation strategies that help children access high-quality early learning while helping parents attain postsecondary training and jobs with family-supporting wages. Partners surveyed parents enrolled in Athens Technical College, as well as faculty and staff, to better understand barriers parents face in completing postsecondary education.
How Child Care Challenges Affect Georgia’s Workforce and Economy
A report published by Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) examines the impact of child care challenges on the state’s workforce. The alarming results show significant disruptions to parental workforce participation—including missed workdays and decisions to leave the workforce—and the state’s economy. A report by Child Care Aware of America details state-specific costs for child care nationwide and identifies national and state-level policy recommendations for ensuring that families have access to affordable, quality care.
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Pacesetter Honors Technical Assistance Webinars
“Refresher on GLR Learning for Impact and Improvement System, Focusing on Pacesetter Honors Option 3,” Thursday, Jan. 24, 3 p.m.;
“Review of Self-Nomination Process; Open Q&A,” Thursday, Feb. 7, 3 p.m.
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s (GLR) Pacesetter Honors program celebrates GLR Network communities that are leading the way in moving the needle and closing gaps in third-grade reading proficiency. The GLR Support Center has two more technical assistance webinars to guide the application process. Self-nominations are accepted through Thursday, Feb. 28. Register for the Jan. 24 webinar and Feb. 7 webinar.
Strolling Thunder: A Storm of Advocacy for Infants and Toddlers
Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hosted by GEEARS and ZERO TO THREE, this family-friendly event brings babies, toddlers, and parents from across Georgia to meet their elected officials. The event includes advocacy training and roundtable discussions that allow families to share the joys and challenges of raising young children in Georgia. Legislators and families with children ages 0 – 3 are encouraged to attend. Register Now
Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) – PBS KIDS Writers Contest
Submission Deadline: Friday, March 29
The GPB – PBS KIDS Writers Contest is officially open to Georgia students in grades K – 3. Children are encouraged to submit original, illustrated stories for great prizes and a chance to be featured on the GPB website. Learn More
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We Want to Hear From You
Our partners are the heroes in this work, and we want to help connect you with each other and with resources that can help you get even greater results. And we want to hear more stories. Please share yours with us so we can post it to getgeorgiareading.org. Send your stories—or any questions about the Campaign—to Arianne Weldon at arianne@gafcp.org.
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