This fall, Ava R-1 students received 576 new books from First Book, a national non-profit organization, in partnership with national retailer Target.
The books were donated in celebration of the launch of the new Target Read With MeSM initiative, which aims to help more U.S children read proficiently by the end of third grade.
To celebrate the initiative, First Book and Target donated 1 million new books to elementary schools across the country.
While providing students across the country with access to books is critical in promoting literacy, engaging parents and caring adults in education is equally important to ensuring our children are academically successful.
The Target Read With Me initiative calls upon parents and caring adults to do their part by pledging to commit to a regular reading schedule with a child.
The reading pledge can be accessed by visiting Target.com/reading, via mobile Web browsing or by texting “READ” to Target (827438).
The 576 books local students received are part of a larger donation in which First Book and Target will distribute up to 2 million books to kids in need. The first 1 million books are being distributed to celebrate the launch of Target Read With Me, and the second million will be donated once 1 million pledges have been received.
Thanks to First Book and Target, Ava Elementary and Ava Middle School students now have greater access to books that enrich their minds and lay the foundation for a successful academic career.
