DERBY — The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) has awarded its Year of the Book grant to Derby Elementary School for this school year.
The grant provides $25,000 in literacy programming and new books, including visits and workshops with CLiF’s many Vermont authors and storytellers.
The money will also allow for free family programming, such as a community dinner with storytelling and tips for sharing stories with young kids, special literacy initiatives, new books for classrooms and the school library, as well as the local public library.
The grant will also allow ten new books for each child to choose throughout the year.
CLiF kicked off the grant on September 24, with storytelling and the first of ten book giveaways, where kids picked out their books.
The next author visit will be with John and Jennifer Churchman of the popular picture book series, Sweet Pea and Friends, about the animals on their Essex farm.
They will visit the school with their dog Laddie on November 20, beginning at 8:40 a.m.
The Year of the Book grant is designed to build a culture of literacy within a community.
Derby Elementary was one of five elementary schools in Vermont selected.
Along with creative ideas and a demonstrated commitment to improving literacy, selected schools have high percentages of low-income students and students underperforming on reading and writing assessments.
