Helping Our Friends at RIF

From the Reading Is Fundamental website:

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) announced it has joined forces with Macy’s and D.C. Public Schools to combat the summer learning slide among through reading high-quality books and enrichment activities. The pilot reading program is based on Read for Success, an innovative literacy model developed by RIF and proven to help improve reading proficiency among early elementary students. Macy’s is the first corporate sponsor to support the pilot program.

As part of the pilot program, RIF has distributed nearly 100,000 books to 7,500 students, including 356 Multicultural Book Collections with STEAM-themes (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) to 30 schools throughout the District. The program is being implemented to minimize the risk all children have of losing some of the learning and skills they’ve acquired during the school year over the summer. The summer learning slide especially affects children from economically disadvantaged communities. If the summer learning slide is not addressed at an early age, children may fall behind by almost three years in reading comprehension by the end of fifth grade. The learning loss has the potential to widen to four years by the end of twelfth grade. Sustained reading of age-appropriate, engaging literature is a key component of the solution.

Since 2004, Macy’s has helped raise over $32 million for RIF. Through customer-supported fundraising campaigns, in-store events and volunteer activities, Macy’s has donated funds and resources to further the message of literacy for future success. Macy’s longstanding support has enabled RIF to promote literacy at all levels, from buying books for children, training educators, and providing resources to parents. This is the first Macy’s sponsorship of the Read for Success pilot program in the District. Starting June 21 through July 12, 2015, Macy’s annual Be Book Smart campaign that raises funds for books for children kicks-off in stores.  

You can find more information here.