"Racing for Reading" redux !
September 5-7, 2009
Last year we devoted our Labor Day MARRS to the Middle School Reading Enrichment Program of the Jefferson County Public Schools. We promised these wonderful people a two-year commitment to help them get this program up and running in all four middle schools in the county, so we're back at it again!
Like most public school systems throughout the country, Jefferson County has a number of students who for many complex reasons are reading below their appropriate grade level. Various studies have been conducted and published, laws have been passed, programs have been implemented, teachers and schools have been held accountable, and we still have kids who can't read. Kids who get behind in elementary school and stay behind through middle school have a pretty dismal outlook by the time they reach high school. It's really hard to do well in a high school level history class when you can't read the textbook.
So Jefferson County Public Schools launched a new program designed to catch and support these kids, and we agreed to help. We called it "Racing for Reading," we called those kids our "MARRS Stars" (and even designed a special logo for them!), and THANKS TO YOUR GENEROSITY we raised nearly $23,000 last year to fund this program! From a small pilot at one school in 2007-2008, the program was expanded to three schools for the 2008-2009 academic year. And of course even bigger things are planned for 2009-2010!
Unfortunately, one of the stumbling blocks of the program is that it takes place after school, and transportation home becomes an issue for many of these kids. We surely would love to be able to give them enough money not just to run the program, but to pay for the school bus ride home so more kids will be able to participate. So we are counting on your generosity yet again.
We're still in the planning phase, but you can count on our regular activities. By popular request, however, we are going to abandon the flea market idea and bring back the fabulous and famous Bring-One-Buy-One BOOK SALE! And look for another Fine Dining Experience (that's waiter Jeff, below right!), as well as an expanded Golf Cart MotoCross.
WE SURELY NEED YOUR HELP!
Anne and Sheila may be a pretty dynamic duo, but even a '68 hemi 'Cuda won't get us there alone! As always, we want your $$$, your auction and book donations, and your time. This last is particularly important, as Anne will be out of the country Labor Day weekend, and Sheila is going to be tearing out her hair! (That's Sheila over there, above left, with hair intact.) Our fabulous RE has promised us a day of his time; another couple of management trainees would sure be appreciated!
To help in any way, call or email either one of us:
Anne (acallihan@frontiernet.net, H 304-876-6613)
Sheila (swcockey@va.metrocast.net, H 540-663-3260)