LitRAG Call To Action - Read a Story to a Child

Dear Rotarians in District 7070, 

I hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well.   I wanted you to be aware of and invite you to a call to action for LITRAG (Literacy Rotary Action Gropu) members and all Rotarians to get engaged, involved, and make a difference during these uncertain days.   The following information is being sent to LITRAG members - I hope all our members rally around this effort and promote this opportunity to their clubs and communities.  Would you take a few minutes to read a children’s  story aloud, video it, and post it to #TogetherWe Read.   Then, promote the resource to parents, schools, daycare programs in your community.  We welcome stories in a variety of languages!   Thanks for all you do to promote education and literacy  - take care and be well.

During these challenging times, with everyone restricted to their home, it is hard to know what to do, how to help. But We would like to suggest an easy, meaningful, and impactful way that Rotarians can get involved.   With the nationwide closing of schools, millions of children are missing out on learning.  So how do Rotarians help address this learning gap?  By reading  your favorite children’s book, recording as you read aloud, and posting it along with other Rotarians.  It’s easy, it’s fun - and it will make a difference!  Reading aloud to children is one of the best ways to promote literacy, develop language skills, and develop critical thinking.  

Rotary and Save the Children have partnered since 2018  to promote literacy and early childhood education to help close the academic achievement gap, especially for children living in poverty in rural areas.  Our partnership, Together, We Read, blends Save the Children’s expertise in child literacy programs with Rotary’s expertise in advocacy, connecting community leaders,  and responding to need.  In light of the Covid-19 pandemic we are shifting our partnership focus from in-person community-based activities,  to virtual activities to continue to promote early literacy and prevent children from falling behind.

One way to do this is through virtual reading.  The Literacy Rotary Action Group (LITRAG) would like to extend #TogetherWeRead by inviting Rotarians to join #savewithstories; a partnership between Save the Children and No Kid Hungry.  This effort offers stories on Instagram and Facebook to provide literacy support for homebound kids and parents.  We know how much their children love listening to the stories (while giving their parents a break from home school and childcare duties, often on top of juggling working from home).  And we know that libraries, schools and other literacy programs are sharing #savewithstories, with great feedback.

Will you join us??  Rotarians can videotape themselves reading a story and post it online (instructions attached), to #TogetherWeRead and #savewithstories.  If reading a story (we welcome stories in English, Spanish, and other languages) videotaping and sharing it via social media is something you would do to help, we’d love your involvement.   It's a great way to create greater awareness of our partnership Together, We Read.  (two helpful documents are attached: a ‘how to’ post your story’ and Tips for Reading Aloud)  Then, promote #TogetherWeRead through your club or district social media channels so parents and teachers are aware of the opportunity to support their children children’s reading skills.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this important initiative.  Together we will read, and do great things in these unprecedented times.

Kindest regards,