United Way of the Plains Combats Summer Learning Loss with Book Donations to Three Wichita Public Schools

WICHITA, Kan., Monday, May 24, 2021— Second and third graders at three elementary schools in the Shocker neighborhood area received new reading materials last week. Delivered by Women United® volunteers, the books will be sent home with children to help combat summer learning loss. The parental reading guides included with the books encourage working with children to practice and improve their skills even after the school year ends.

Women United 2021 Chair, Justine Milmine of INTRUST Bank, said, “Students who aren’t reading at grade level are falling behind. In fact, they’re four times more likely to drop out of school. Our volunteers are passionate about literacy initiatives and many of them have been part of our partnership with area schools that provides reading coaches. With all the learning disruptions created by the pandemic, we wanted to package and provide book sets for these children so that they stay on track in school and continue improving their reading skills. We’ve missed being part of their success and we are really hoping to get back to our in-person coaching when the next school year starts this fall.”

Pete Najera, United Way of the Plains CEO and President, said, “We know that reading is the cornerstone of all learning and it’s critical for children in that age group to practice reading every day. We fight for every child to reach their potential and growing strong readers is an investment in the future of these children, their families and our community.”

Financial donations made earlier this year during a five-day Coaching for Literacy campaign helped fund the summer reading initiative. United Way of the Plains worked with Wichita Public Schools and Wichita State University to elevate awareness about illiteracy and raise money to buy books for children. Nine area high school boys and girls basketball teams joined the Wichita State University Men’s Basketball team in promoting the hashtag ‘Fight4Literacy’ and requesting donations to purchase books. International Paper provided a matching grant through the national nonprofit, Coaching for Literacy. More than $30,000 was raised, including nearly $7,000 donated by local members of Women United.

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NOTES: 

Book deliveries were made last week to Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary School, Jackson Elementary School, and Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary School.

The Women United Read to Succeed initiative focuses on helping children read at grade level by the end of third grade. Through a partnership with Wichita Public Schools, volunteer reading coaches are matched with at-risk students at local elementary schools. Coaches meet weekly with a student for 30 minutes to listen to them read and provide intervention tactics to help them improve their reading skills. This simple act helps them stay on track in school and life.

DOWNLOADS: 

Watch the Wichita Public Schools event recap video here.

Click on photo to download.

A student poses at her desk holding a drawstring bag containing free books from United Way.

Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary School

A student poses at her desk holding a drawstring bag containing free books from United Way.

Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary School

A student poses at his desk holding a drawstring bag containing free books from United Way.

Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary School

A student at her desk holds up one of the new, free books she received from United Way.

Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary School

A student proudly holds up one of the new, free books she received from United Way.

Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary School

Students pose with reps from United Way holding their new books.

Jackson Elementary School

A student proudly holds up one of the new, free books she received from United Way.

Jackson Elementary School

A student sits at his desk, looking through the new books he received from United Way.

Jackson Elementary School

MEDIA CONTACT: Kindra Goertzen, Creative Manager, (316) 267-1321, kgoertzen@unitedwayplains.org

United Way of the Plains is a nonprofit and for-impact organization that focuses on health, education and financial stability – the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Our mission is to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas. Follow us on these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

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Published On: May 20, 2021

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