Resolution 140708

..Title Recognizing September as National Literacy Month and acknowledging the critical work of PHILADELPHIA READS in strengthening the literacy skills of Philadelphia's children. ..Body WHEREAS, September had been designated as National Literacy Month; and WHEREAS, PHILADELPHIA READS was created as result of President Clinton's Summit for America's Future that was held in Philadelphia in 1997; and WHEREAS, PHILADELPHIA READS runs programs throughout the year to help children become lifelong readers including the Book Bank, the Philadelphia Reading Olympics, individual tutoring, and summer reading activities; and WHEREAS, PHILADELPHIA READS promotes the Reading is Love initiative to encourage parents and caregivers to read aloud to their children. Studies have shown that children who have not been read to prior to kindergarten enter school having heard 30 million fewer words; and WHEREAS, Many of our city's children are not reading at grade level. With limited access to books at home, schools, and public libraries, there are few opportunities for children to improve their literacy skills; and WHEREAS, The PHILADELPHIA READS Power Partners program provides literacy enrichment, mentoring, and career education for nearly 12,000 Philadelphia public school students. Volunteers have donated approximately 450,000 hours providing one-on-one literacy coaching; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Reading Olympics is the City's largest literacy competition. The Philadelphia Reading Olympics provides students with the opportunity to have interactive discussions with their peers about a variety of books. In May 2014, 1,766 students from 88 charter, parochial, and public schools competed in the Philadelphia Reading Olympics; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognize September as National Literacy Month and acknowledge the critical work of PHILADELPHIA READS in strengthening the literacy skills of Philadelphia's children. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to PHILADELPHIA READS as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body and its ongoing commitment to the eradication of illiteracy. ..End