For immediate release.
PRESS RELEASE
Book Trust Welcomes three new schools
Three Denver-area schools join Book Trust’s network of programming for the
2015-2016 academic year.
Denver, CO, August 25, 2015—A book is a powerful thing, and thanks to support from Book Trust, children at threeelementary schools in the Denver Public School system will now have more access to that power. Book Trust, a national nonprofit literary organization based in Denver, is proud to announce its partnership with Garden Place Elementary, Johnson Elementary, and KIPPMontbello Elementary. At all three schools, Book Trust will serve the early grades by providing each student funds to choose and buy up to three books per month for a total of up to 30 books per school year. The books are the students’ to take home and share with families, thereby increasing family engagement in reading and supporting literacy.
With the addition of the 3 schools, Book Trust now serves 30 elementary schools within DPS and a total of 61 schools in Colorado. Book Trust has put more than 2.5 million books in the hands and homes of children in Colorado since 2001 and will serve nearly22,000 Colorado students in the 2015-2016 school year.
“Extending our programming to new schools is one of the most rewarding elements of this work,” said Book Trust President & CEO Amy Friedman. “Our goal is to ensure every child gets to choose books of his or her own each month of the school year. Something as simple as a book has the power to change the course of a child’s life. We get excited about bringing that power to more and more kids.”
In areas of poverty, the ratio of books to children is 1 book for every 300 children, a figure contributing to the reading gap between low and middle income families.Through its programming and partnerships, Book Trust ensures all children have access to books, regardless of their family income level. To date, Book Trust has delivered more than 4.3 million books to children through its programming in 15 states.
“It is hard to get excited about books when you don’t have any in the home,” said Johnson Elementary Principal Robert Beam. “That is the most basic and most important part of the equation, and that is what Book Trust means for our kids: getting books into their home, into their hands. It’s the start of more reading, excitement about reading, and that leads to improved learning.”
Schools qualify for Book Trust in part based on the percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch. When a school is eligible for the program, all students within a participating class receive books. “One of the best things about Book Trust is its commitment to providing equal opportunities for kids,” said Beam. “All kids participate regardless of family income level. The kids who really need the books get them, but no one draws undue attention to that need. The whole classroom is receiving books. It allows everyone to focus on the fun of reading.”
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