Local summer literacy programs received a boost with news of a $2,250 Summer Reading Grant awarded to Philomath Elementary School from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
The grant enabled the purchase of new books for all students at Philomath Elementary, Blodgett Elementary and Clemens Primary School, literacy specialist Molly Bell reported. Through the funding, the schools acquired books spanning various reading levels and genres with more than 75 different titles available for students to pick out.
The initiative aims to combat “summer slide” when students often lose literacy skills during extended breaks from school. The new books complement existing programs, including the school’s Principal’s Reading Challenge and Philomath Community Library’s Summer Reading Log.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s Summer Reading Grant program supports literacy initiatives nationwide with a focus on keeping students engaged with reading during summer vacation periods.
For more information about the Summer Reading Grant program, visit www.dgliteracy.org/grant-programs.