• SLPS and Missouri Humanities Council partner for 'Read from the Start’

    Posted: Monday, April 21, 2014 1:13 pm | Updated: 9:25 am, Tue Apr 22, 2014.

    By Bridjes O'Neil Of The St. Louis American

    The Missouri Humanities Council has partnered with the St. Louis Public School (SLPS) district to provide Read from the Start, a family reading instructional program for parents of children birth to five years old. Kara Jacquin, communication coordinator at the Missouri Humanities Council, said it is the first time the statewide program has been offered in SLPS.

    “Read from the Start likes to reach out to underserved communities,” Jacquin said. “We’ve always wanted to work with St. Louis Public Schools and receiving this grant gave us the resources to do so.”

    The non-profit organization received a generous grant of $15,000 from PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. to bring Read from the Start to THE SLPS. PNC is one of the United States' largest diversified financial services organizations. Since 2010, PNC has committed more than $3 million to greater St. Louis organizations that support early childhood education.

    Research shows that children birth to five years old who are read to regularly enter school better prepared to learn. Eleven SLPS with preschools or Head Start programs are hosting the free program during the spring semester. Participants attend two sessions taught by certified discussion leaders. Participants learn how reading to children helps strengthen the parent/child bond and techniques to make reading more interactive and exciting. These techniques include art, songs, finger plays, and dramatic play. Each participant receives seven free children's books to take home.

    "We're really fortunate of the partnership, and we hope it continues" Jacquin said of SLPS. "We hope we can reach many more parents in the district."

    Registration is requested. The schedule of upcoming programs is as follows:

    April 24: Laclede Elementary School-SLPS at 2 p.m. (Session 2)

    For more information about this event, please contact:
    Robin Jung
    Phone: (314) 385-0546

    April 29: Stix Early Childhood Center-SLPS at 10:00 a.m. (Session 2)

    For more information about this event, please contact:
    Diane Dymond
    Phone: (314) 353-1353

    May 13 and May 27: Froebel Literacy Academy at 9:30 a.m. (Sessions 1 and 2)

    For more information about this event, please contact:
    Von Smith
    Phone: (314) 771-3533

    Follow this reporter on Twitter: @BridjesONeil