Former Baseball MVP Helps Launch ADR Spring Programs!
Batter up! As baseball season approaches, 31,000 elementary school families across Norfolk Public Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, and Suffolk Public Schools are swinging for the fences as they all read Little Rhino: My New Team (Scholastic, 2015), part of a series written by 2006 Major League Baseball MVP Ryan Howard and his wife, Krystle Howard, a former elementary school educator.
To help promote the program, the Howards participated in a zoom interview with local reporters on March 10th, three days after the first set of students, 15,000 in Norfolk, received the book. They described how they developed the Little Rhino series to inspire kids “who get really excited when they pick up and read a chapter book.” They also praised All District Reads. “It’s such an honor for them to choose our book,” said Ryan, who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies, winning a World Series ring in the process. “This is part of what we wanted this book to do. To be part of All District Reads is more than we ever could have asked for.”
“What’s so special about this program is that it’s a community event,” added Krystle. “It’s this excitement that seems to have been created through this program where their friends are going to be reading it, so hopefully that sparks conversations…. Hopefully, it lights a fire for those kids who have a hard time picking up a book.”
The March 10th Zoom interview with Ryan and Krystle Howard, coauthors of the Little Rhino series, drew attendees from several media outlets. Watch WAVY’s coverage here.
On March 10th, Ryan and Krystle Howard (second row, left) joined reporters from media outlets and All District Reads personnel for a Zoom interview.
Districts Begin Reading Little Rhino Book
Norfolk kicked off the spring All Norfolk Reads program on March 7th with activities across the district. Portsmouth and Suffolk will begin on March 17th. For roughly three weeks, reading will be THE hot topic in homes and schools across all three communities as students read and discuss Little Rhino: My New Team, which focuses on the themes of teamwork, bullying, and more. Families will each receive a free copy of the chosen book, and they will read a chapter together each week night. Schools will follow up with classroom discussions, fun comprehension question contests, and a variety of special activities.
Because of the baseball theme of the Little Rhino book, the Norfolk Tides minor league baseball team is getting in on the fun. On April 13th and April 27th, students who bring a copy of their Little Rhino book will get free admittance to the ballpark, if they come with a paying adult. In addition, the Tides mascot, Rip Tide, participated in Norfolk’s kick-off activities on March 7, helping draw media coverage from WAVY.com. Rip Tide also has volunteered to do a recorded audio reading of Chapter 12 of the Little Rhino book. Talk about a being a home run partner!
Watch for further coverage of the spring programs in our April issue.
Mike Dillender (ADR Executive Director) and Norfolk Tides mascot Rip Tide join students and staff at the book distribution at Oceanair Elementary School in Norfolk.
Labeling Events: Community and Camaraderie
Tales and Ales. This catchy title captures the sense of community and camaraderie at All District Reads labeling events. Dozens of eager volunteers gathered at recent labeling events at Smartmouth Brewing Company in Norfolk (Feb. 26th), MoMac Brewing Company in Portsmouth (March 4th) and the Suffolk Public Schools Operations Center (March 6th) to place labels in thousands of copies of Little Rhino: My New Team.
These labeling events draw all sorts of volunteers—educators, families, and other people throughout the community who want to help. Most of all, labeling events typically feature strong involvement from local Rotary clubs. Since the beginning, Rotary clubs have supported All District Reads programs with funding, help with labeling, and help with book distribution in schools.
Tamra VanDorn, president of the Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club, said, “Rotarians have enthusiastically supported the All District Reads initiative for Suffolk Public Schools from the beginning. Every child deserves the gift of literacy and possessing a book of their own. Reading opens a child’s mind to endless possibilities and a lifetime of learning. Rotary is honored to share this with the children in Suffolk.”
Volunteers from Norfolk Rotary at Tales & Ales labeling event at SmartMouth Brewing Co.
Spotlight Shines on All District Reads!
A news item in the March 5th edition of Joel Rubin’s weekly online newsletter “WINDSdays” celebrates the distribution of 31,000 copies of Little Rhino: My New Team to elementary students across Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk in March through the All District Reads program. The article includes a quote from ADR founder Gary Anderson. “WINDSdays” is published weekly by Rubin Communications Group, founded and led by noted public relations expert Joel Rubin.
Thanks to special pricing offered by Adams Outdoor Advertising, All District Reads has secured a two-week rental of six large billboards along key highways and interstates across the area to promote our activities. Watch for them in coming weeks!
WHRO Weekly Edition recently interviewed ADR Executive Director Mike Dillender, and the segment has been airing at regular intervals. You can access the podcast here; the ADR interview airs at around the 5:45 mark and lasts for about five minutes.
School District Leaders Meetings Keep Everyone in the Loop
Each month, a group of passionate and highly skilled School District Leaders and Reading Specialists from participating All District Reads districts gathers via Zoom. At these meetings, participants: 1) share their expertise, 2) discuss and prepare for upcoming projects, and 3) strategize on ways to promote the project within their schools and the broader community. They also gather insights and feedback from participating schools, students, families, and the community to assess progress and ensure the program’s continued growth and success.
The efforts of these leaders support the All District Reads mission of “fostering family literacy through developing partnerships between communities and public schools.” As well as uniting the region through a shared reading experience.
Participants in the February School District Leaders meeting were: (left to right, top row: Cecilia Joaquin, Michelle Dimnik, and Peg Monahan, ADR; left to right, middle row: John Micklos, ADR; Heidi M. Lewis and Lakeesha McCoy, Portsmouth Public Schools; and left to right, bottom row: Sarah Mohr, Suffolk Public Schools, and Lisa Nash, Norfolk Public Schools
Libraries Promote Spring Break Reading Activities
Local public libraries encourage students to keep reading over spring break. For instance, the Suffolk Public Library offers Spring Break Kits for families, including activities geared toward ages 5 and older. The kits can be picked up April 14th-26th during open hours at the Morgan Memorial and North Suffolk locations. Get further details here. Learn about Norfolk Public Library’s activities for kids here, and find out about Portsmouth Public Library’s children’s offerings here.
Reminder: YOU Can Help US Spark the Love of Reading
Want to support ADR’s mission to connect communities to local elementary students through the All District Reads program? Here are two easy ways.
Visit the ADR website: Consider supporting our work by making a monthly donation through our Book Club or by giving a one-time gift of any size. Visit the ADR Donations page to learn more.
Use your IRA to make a lasting impact: If you’re over 70 and have an IRA, you can use a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to donate directly to All District Reads. Contact your tax professional about potential tax benefits. For details, please contact ADR board member Annette Wilson.
Literacy Quote
“In baseball as in life, all the important things happen at home.”
