NCAE Brings Joy of Reading to North Carolina Children with "Read Across America"
The Association, along with citizens, children and many celebrities, turned world-renowed author Dr. Suess' birthday on March 2 into one of the largest, most successful literacy events in history. A nationwide effort planned and publicized by the National Education Association and its affiliates, the first annual "Read Across America" successfully brought the joy of reading to millions of school children.
Baseball player Cal Ripken served as the national spokesperson, the voice of James Earl Jones resonated on the airwaves in PSA's touting the event and here in North Carolina, the NCAE donated thousands of books to North Carolina school kids. Schools across the state and nation participated by organizing various reading events that brought local community leaders and parents, donned in red-and-white signature "Cat in the Hat" hats, into our public schools to read to students during the school day. 1998 was Read Across America's inaugural year, and the Association plans to promote the importance of reading each year with this observance.
For more information contact North Carolina's "Read Across America" coordinator, Karen Archia, NCAE Media/PR coordinator at 1-800-662-7924 x214.
NCAE Works for Safe Schools for Everyone
NCAE is interested in making sure all public schools are safe places to work and learn. NCAE's Safe Schools and Communities Task Force sponsors workshops on non-violent crisis intervention for educators, parents and community members. The workshops offer teachers and others an opportunity to learn how to diffuse disruptive and assaultive students when in instructional settings and in other circumstances as well.
For more information on the activities, contact Maynard Hyler, NCAE UniServ Consultant at 1-800-635-9148.
NC Foundation for Public School Children
NCAE established the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children in December 1995 - a separate non-profit organization that helps public school students in a variety of ways. Teachers frequently encounter students lacking the basic necessities. The Children's Fund, a major component of the Foundation fills that need. The Children's Fund, upon request, will provide financial assistance for school field trips, clothing, eyeglasses, test fees, and many items for which teachers spend their own money to help students year after year. The goal of the Children's Fund is to ensure that personal needs not be allowed to interfere with a student's ability to learn.
Contact Kelvin Spragley , Foundation executive director and NCAE associate executive director, at 1-800-662-7924 x204 for more information.
Covenant for Children
NCAE is a member of the North Carolina Covenant for Children, a coalition of organizations established to keep child-related issues in the forefront of the North Carolina Legislature, to monitor child safety issues and child care regulations, and to make sure North Carolina has the most nurturing and protective environment possible for young people.
The Association actively supports the Covenant's programs which tackle health-related issues such as teen smoking, child immunizations, and safety issues such as teen driving.
For more information on NCAE's role in this coalition, contact Cecil Banks, NCAE GR Manager.
