Please Give the Gift of Reading At Home For Our Children

I am a teacher at Public School 32 located in Brooklyn, New York, and I am kindly seeking your assistance. P.S. 32 strives to be a nurturing and vibrant community for academic achievement. P.S. 32 proudly adheres to standards-based learning which includes significant foci on comprehensive literacy instruction and constructivist mathematics. Our integrated, inquiry-based curriculum promotes active learning through reading, writing, thinking, and problem-solving. Our focus on rigorous academic standards is driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a strong belief in the value of research and the importance of focused talk and investigation. In addition, students are expected to be active problem solvers and to act as leaders in a variety of situations. P.S. 32 is committed to diversity. We provide elegant instruction for over 360 ethnically diverse, underprivileged, economically disadvantaged inner-city elementary school children. Our classes are heterogeneously grouped and scheduled to allow for a variety of unique learning experiences. P.S. 32 recognizes the special concerns of parents, learners, and teachers and aims to create a safe environment in which children may be risk-takers. Our children come to school expecting miracles and daily everyone at P.S. 32 tries to give them just that. But we need your help! My school serves the Gowanus Housing projects and as a result,not only do 100% of our children receive free lunch but 96% of our families are minorities who live below the poverty level. These children would benefit from having a home library. We wish to give the gift of reading to each child as he/she goes home everyday. My goal is to engage children in independent reading as well as accountable-talk opportunities with parents/guardians enjoying, discussing, and questioning what they read. In order for our children to become more fluent readers they need to practice the skills and strategies at home. Most importantly, these children need to engage in reading opportunities outside the walls of the classroom. All children must be surrounded by quality literature at an early age. If children are exposed to books that motivate them to read daily at an early age, we believe they will not only develop a love for reading, but a love and interest for life-long learning. To make this dream become a reality, I am requesting leveled A-R books so that I can create home libraries for our next presidents, doctors, lawyers, and teachers. The quality and compassion of a society can be readily judged by the investment it makes in its children. To me, reading is one of the ultimate sources of freedom. With knowledge people have the potential to reach greater heights in every aspect of life from birth throughout adulthood. Reading is an everlasting process with profound benefits that change people's lives forever. There is nothing sadder than to look into the eyes of a child and see nothing but a blank stare. Likewise, it is heart-breaking when children are denied the opportunity to develop a love for reading because of their parents' financial status. If our parents are unable to purchase books for their children then I am asking you to help us give the gift of reading to our children. This will be a gift that you know will make a difference! All contributions, in ANY amount would be highly appreciated and the children at Public School 32 would be ever so grateful. Please give the gift you know will make a difference!