Why we care

• We believe in the potential of all children – each child a promise just waiting to be realized.
• We believe in both the power and ability of education to prepare and empower children for future success.
• We believe that as community citizens we must support our schools and educators with gifts of time, treasure and resources
• We know that children must be inspired, encouraged and prepared to become successful adults.
• We can, with your help, be part of the change that propels students to successful futures!

As parents and as a community we want our young people to be successful in school and to become independent, contributing members of society when they come of age.  Unfortunately, too many young people, especially those from poverty backgrounds never graduate from high school and remain in the cycle of poverty with their futures diminished – this must change! Invest your time, efforts and resources to inspire and help a child succeed!

Reading is FUNdamental to learning! 

No person, school or agency can address or be prepared for the vast array of the needs presented by every struggling student in the community, but there are many things that can be done that can make a huge difference in a child’s success!  Literacy, mentoring, tutoring assistance, and basic needs are all things Communities In Schools does every day to help kids succeed in school.

Communities In Schools’ Reading is FUNdamental Program.

Early reading skills are critical to a child’s success in school.  Students learn to read through the end of third grade, after that they must be able to read in order to learn.  Too many of our kids start school behind their peers in language development and never catch up.

Reading – it’s a critical skill that can be improved considerably with attention, practice, and help from the community. 

In a landmark study by Hart-Risley on language development, it was documented that children from low-income families hear as many as 30 million fewer words than their more affluent peers before the age of 4. Many of these children enter school considerably behind their peers in reading skills and continue to have difficulty throughout their school lives, resulting in greater incidents of absenteeism, dropping out, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy – all issues that continue to perpetuate the cycles of poverty and dependency.

• Reading aloud is widely recognized as the single most important activity leading to language development. Reading aloud builds word-sound awareness in children. 
• Reading aloud gives children the opportunity to practice listening – a critical skill for student success.
• Reading aloud encourages children to use their imaginations.
• The more adults read aloud to children, the larger their vocabularies will grow.
• Reading helps children to learn and dream about the world around them and their place in it.
• Reading aloud introduces the language of books which is different from the language heard in daily conversations.
• Reading aloud builds motivation, curiosity, and memory.
• Reading aloud helps children develop positive associations with books and reading.
• Children who value books are more motivated to read on their own. 
• Academic success is tied to a student’s ability to read and comprehend concepts.