Students at Jefferson Elementary School got to take home a book Thursday from a donation of 755 books by the Scripps Howard Foundation as a part of the foundation’s “If you give a child a book…” campaign to promote childhood literacy.
The foundation is the philanthropic arm of broadcast giant, The E.W. Scripps Company, and it has been reaching communities through it’s local and national media brands across the country. Temple’s local Scripps Media station, Channel 25 News, was on campus to deliver the books.
“25 News KXXV, our parent company E.W. Scripps, and our community partners are firm believers in the power of literacy,” said Joey Horta, one of the station’s morning anchors. “We are honored to help these students open their imaginations an develop the fundamental skill of literacy which they will carry with them throughout their lives.”
Each student at Jefferson Elementary received a drawstring bag and was able to pick a book from the more than 30 titles provided in various reading levels.
“It’s an absolute joy to see a child’s eyes light up when they get to choose their very own book to take home,” Horta said.
The timing was uncanny according to Jefferson Elementary principal, Pam Demny. For the past several years, she explained, the campus’ parent-teacher organization has used funds raised throughout the year to make sure every student got a book for the holidays.”
“This year, due to COVID, they were unable to raise those funds,” Demny said. “So somebody is looking out for us, because all of a sudden all these books showed up and every kid is going to get one.”
It will take several days for all 530 or so Jefferson Jaguars – including remote learners – to pick up their book, but the 25 classes on campus began making their way down to the library Thursday to begin book shopping.
Though the students enjoyed the gift of one book, the real value comes in reinforcing literacy with a positive experience to encourage students to keep on reading.
“Education is how students become successful in life,” Demny said. “And reading is the foundation of any student’s education.”