Press Release:

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record :

WHEN:
Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM

WHERE:
Astoria Park Elementary School, 2465 Atlas Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303

WHO:
Florida Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp; FL Chief Child Advocate, Jim Kallinger; and Superintendent Jackie Pons will Read for the Record with students at Astoria Park.

WHAT:
Annual Campaign Makes History as Children Read the Same Book on the Same Day Around the Globe. The Pearson Foundation, Read for the Record sponsor and founding partner, is once again underwriting the cost of the campaign book. Adults will read Eric Carle’s, The Very Hungry Caterpillar in a record-breaking celebration of reading and community service to pre-school and kindergarten children across the globe, specifically reaching out to low income children.

Volunteers will read, The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Read for the Record events across Leon County to 2,200 students in over 150 classrooms in over 24 schools in the district with 100% of public elementary school participation.

WHY:
Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Campaign and intensive early education programs – puts books in the homes of children who need them most and focuses on helping them make gains in crucial language and literacy skills.

The day’s activities are designed to generate public awareness about the importance of early childhood education –especially in low income neighborhoods.

In 2008, nearly 700,000 readers broken a world record by reading the classic tale, “Corduroy;” and raised almost $2 million to directly support and expand the organization’s early education work in low-income communities. Hopes are to break the record again this year with more readers and added support.

Visit www.readfortherecord.org to learn more.