Governor Bill Lee Joins the Tennessee Department of Education & Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation for a Scholastic Book Giveaway
News October 19, 2020 Daniel Prince
Event highlights early literacy initiatives and announces new book delivery program benefiting thousands of students and teachers across the state
Nashville, TENNESSEE – Governor Bill Lee will virtually join the Tennessee Department of Education, in collaboration with Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) and Scholastic, to highlight and celebrate early literacy initiatives in Tennessee at a book giveaway event on Oct. 21.
At the event, TDOE, GELF and Scholastic will announce a new K-3 School Year Book Delivery program to support thousands of Tennessee students, families and educators this fall. Students, elected officials, along with special guest Clifford the Big Red Dog® will be in attendance. Media are welcome and encouraged to attend. To RSVP, please email whitney@walkercomms.com.
The celebration will also be live streamed via Facebook Live on the department’s Facebook page: https://fb.me/e/313pSN68T.
WHO:
- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
- Commissioner Penny Schwinn, Tennessee Department of Education
- James Pond, President, GELF
- Superintendent Kurt Dronebarger, White County Schools
- Senator Paul Bailey, Tennessee General Assembly
- Representative Paul Sherrell, Tennessee General Assembly
- Chris Hedrick, Senior Vice President of Sales, Scholastic Education
- Clifford the Big Red Dog
WHAT: At-Home Reading Series Celebration: K-3 School Year Book Giveaway
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, 9:00-10:00 a.m. CT
Media avail following program.
WHERE: Findlay Elementary School, Library
560 Hale Street Sparta, TN 38583
Facebook Live: https://fb.me/e/313pSN68T
“We are building on the incredible response to our summer book delivery program as children, families and teachers seek literacy resources to combat the ‘COVID slide,’ the learning loss students are experiencing due to the increased time spent out of school,” said James Pond, president of GELF. “Together with Scholastic and our state partners, we can work together as catalysts for early literacy to foster lifelong learners in our new community classroom.”
“Early literacy is so crucial to the success of our young learners, especially now as educators and families support students after extended time away from the classroom due to COVID-19,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “The department is thrilled to partner with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation and Scholastic to help children build literacy skills from a young age by engaging with books.”
“We’re excited to team up with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation and the Tennessee Department of Education to help grow home libraries for Tennessee’s youngest readers,” said Chris Hedrick, Senior Vice President of Sales, Scholastic Education. “Providing increased access to books is essential to ensure that learning continues at home, and to support children’s social-emotional needs through the power of story.”
About Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF)
The mission of Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) is to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee by acting as a thought leader, advisor and catalyst to support and sustain early literacy programs for children statewide. These programs include Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Storybook Trails, Book Buses, K-3rd Grade Book Delivery and Caregiver Engagement. GELF was founded in 2004 by former Gov. Phil Bredesen as a public-private partnership to sustain Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Tennessee, giving all birth to age five children the opportunity to receive books in the mail at no cost to families. GELF has grown from solely a book-gifting program to an early literacy organization driven by a vision where all Tennessee children have access to the resources, guidance and support they need to become lifelong learners. For more information, visit www.GovernorsFoundation.org or www.facebook.com/GovEarlyLiteracyTN, or call toll-free at (877) 99-BOOKS.