Detroit Public Schools Community District’s Interim Superintendent Alycia Meriweather along with Detroit Little Libraries, the Detroit Public Library, the Detroit Public Schools Foundation and Community Stakeholders are joining forces to provide students with multiple-reading resources this summer.
A special Ribbon Cutting celebrating the District’s Little Free Library Campaign was held at Marcus Garvey Academy on Thursday, July 28.
We have a lofty goal to raise funds to ensure that all 97 schools have a Little Free Library with the help of Detroit Little Libraries, the DPS Foundation, individuals and corporations. At the time of this advisory, there are 27 commitments from a variety of organizations, community members and individuals from around the U.S., including Montana and Alaska, who are investing in Detroit’s children by donating Little Free Libraries to reside on the schools’ campuses. Little Free Libraries are installed in public places where books can be shared based on the Little Free Library motto “Take a book, leave a book.” The idea is to take a book, read a book, leave a book or keep a book.
This is in harmony with the Superintendent’s Summer Reading Challenge that kicks off today as summer school concludes. The Detroit Public Library has ensured that many of the titles are stocked and students will have access to books. In addition, the community is encouraged to assist the schools by stocking the Little Free Libraries. The condensed suggested reading list by grade level is attached below along with a link to the full list.
Students who participate in the READING CHALLENGE are encouraged to read 150 minutes per week and log in the number of minutes read each day. Students are encouraged to register their minutes and monitor their progress on a special Scholastic Reading website designed to perform the tracking and praise success. When the students meet the challenge goals at the end of the week the students are awarded success badges.
Each year students lose valuable learning time during summer break. On the last day of Summer School 2016, Interim Superintendent Alycia Meriweather is leading Detroit Public Schools Community District on an exciting reading challenge for all students and families during the time between now and the first day of school. Along with community partners, Meriweather’s goal is to ensure that all Detroit students have access to quality books. Students will be able to check out suggested titles at their local Detroit Public Libraries, visit DPSCD school campuses and other community locations to check out books in the Little Free Libraries.
“We are encouraging students to continue to learn through reading even though schools are closing at the conclusion of summer school and will not reopen to students until September 6, 2016. We have partnered with the Detroit Public Library to ensure that they carry the titles listed on our reading challenge. Additional details about the Reading Challenge, including a link to the full list of recommended book titles by grade level, can be found by clicking here.
Additionally, bookmarks are being sent to each summer school location to be sent home with students on the last day of summer school to encourage them to read.”
Program participants included:
Alycia Meriweather, Interim Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District
Kim Kozlowski, Detroit Little Libraries
Pamela Moore, President, DPS Foundation
A.J. Funchess, Detroit Public Library
Ian Larsen, Life Scout, Troop 229 (Eagle Scout Candidate)
Ndubisi Okoye, Artist