Reading goes beyond just enjoying a story, especially for young children. Reading helps boost cognitive development, improve language and literacy skills, enhance creativity, and even academic performance. Thanks to received grants, the library at United West Elementary has been able to grow, explains Library and Media Specialist Trish Bertelsen:
“We have developed an early literacy program in thanks to the grants that we have received from Dollar General. Their Youth Literacy Grant has helped us establish a beginner reading program. Our teachers have implemented a wonderful ELA curriculum with phonics instruction, so as they do the instruction, the kids get to come to the library and we have just the right books for them no matter where they are at with their reading,” states Bertelsen.
“We also received the Illinois Reading Council Family Literacy Grant and that is what is helping us provide our pre-k kids with wonderful picture books that help them with their social emotional skills, their basic concepts, and that is what we will be hosting on November 6th,” Bertelsen adds.
All pre-k and kindergarten families are invited to United West Elementary on Thursday, November 6th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm for a family literacy night to explore the books in the library and go on a reading scavenger hunt.
