How about that Jags game on Sunday?!
Congratulations to the Jacksonville Jaguars on a fantastic win this past Sunday! And in true Jaguars community spirit, the team delivered yet another victory this week, albeit off the field. Yesterday, in partnership with Whataburger, the Jaguars hosted a Literacy Locker Room at Crown Point Elementary, giving 500 students free books! That’s way more than just one win – that’s 500 wins, all on a Tuesday morning!
Thanks to the sponsorship of Whataburger (which is also an amazing READ USA supporter!), every second, third, fourth, and fifth grader at Crown Point Elementary got to choose a free book yesterday, along with free swag from the Jaguars and Whataburger—and free food from Whataburger, too! Plus, they got to participate in a special read-aloud with #98 Dawuane Smoot and, of course, Jaxson de Ville himself!
Smoot, who read to two assemblies of students, was also joined by members of the ROAR of the Jaguars and front office staff for a fun-filled pep rally. You could probably hear the excitement halfway across DUUUUUVAAAAAL County!
We are so grateful to the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation for their ongoing partnership and support of childhood literacy through READ USA and the Literacy Locker Room events! Our gratitude also goes to Adriel Rocha, Vice President of Community Impact and Football Development, and Michael Carnahan, Jaguars Foundation Community Impact Senior Manager, who make these fantastic and highly memorable events possible.
Many thanks also to Juan Valenzuela and the Whataburger team for their support of childhood literacy and education through Whataburger’s WhataTeacher and Whataburger Feeding Student Success initiatives. (We are still grateful for Whataburger’s fundraiser for READ USA in August, too!)
More Literacy Locker Rooms will occur in October and November, and we can’t wait for the next one! Thank you, Jacksonville Jaguars, Whataburger, and other Literacy Locker Room partners, for your generous support of the students of Duval County!
#ICYMI: Reserve Your Seat Today!
#ICYMI, you can now save your seat at our 2025 Peace in the Pages event, presented by The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida!
2025 Peace in the Pages
Friday, November 7 | 11:30 a.m.
The Schultz Center
Our generous supporters who donate $1,000 or more to READ USA are invited to Peace in the Pages as our guests. Our donors will soon receive details requesting seating information.
However, if you are not currently a READ USA donor, you can click here to make your $150 donation today and reserve your seat at Peace in the Pages! If you would like to reserve multiple seats, please email joe@readusainc.com for support.
Because of the generosity of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, our presenting sponsor, and our event partners, the cost of the luncheon is fully underwritten, so 100% of your donation is tax-deductible because it all goes directly to READ USA’s mission!
Reminder: READ USA supporters who donate $1,000 or more do not need to make an additional donation; donors will receive seating information from us soon!
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, and our event partners, Kids Hope Alliance, Duval County Public Schools, and STEM2 Hub, for helping make this year’s event possible!
If you have any questions about Peace in the Pages, please contact joe@readusainc.com.
Another #FastFacts Wednesday This Week!
We’re here with some new #FastFacts news briefs this week!
Shanah Tovah to all those who celebrate Rosh Hashanah!
The Jewish New Year kicked off Monday evening at sunset, beginning a two-day observance and celebration that ends this evening at nightfall.
To those who celebrate, may the new year be filled with sweetness, meaning, and the joy of turning new pages in life – and in books!
September is Deaf Awareness Month
#DYK that American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete language on its own, and that it is not representative of English or an imitation of spoken English? In fact, many have been surprised to learn that ASL has more similarities to spoken Japanese and Navajo than to English (source here).
Deaf Awareness Month – initiated in 1997 in the United States – is a time to raise awareness, understanding, and advocacy for the unique communication needs of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. It’s also a time to celebrate their unique identities and successes in overcoming challenges!
Read more from the American Society for Deaf Children here.
More #FastFacts will be coming your way soon!
Children’s Book: Survivor Tree by Marcie Colleen
Illustrated by Aaron Becker
Survivor Tree is a poignant and beautifully written picture book that tells the true story of the Callery pear tree, which survived the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. Created by Marcie Colleen and illustrated by Aaron Becker, a Caldecott Honor recipient, this book uses lyrical text and vivid illustrations to convey themes of survival, healing, and hope. The tree’s journey introduces young readers to a difficult historical event while emphasizing renewal, resilience, and the importance of remembrance.
The narrative follows the journey of a small tree planted near the Twin Towers. After the towers fell on 9/11, the tree was left broken and buried under rubble. With care and attention, it begins to heal and eventually thrives, returning to the rebuilt memorial site as a symbol of strength and hope.
Aaron Becker’s illustrations enhance the narrative, with his masterful use of light and shadow adding layers of emotional depth while keeping the visuals suitable for younger audiences.
While the book does not delve into the graphic details of the 9/11 attacks, it gently introduces the event, offering a thoughtful way to discuss the tragedy with children and promote empathy and understanding.
The tree’s recovery and return to the 9/11 Memorial serve as a quiet but powerful symbol of the resilience of the human spirit, reminding readers of how life moves forward and how we honor those we have lost.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Parent Education Corner: Creativity in Your Reading Routine
Creativity brings reading routines to life at home. It turns reading from a daily task into an exciting journey filled with curiosity, imagination, and joy. When families infuse their reading time with storytelling, hands-on art, dramatic play, and inventive thinking, they build deeper connections to books and long-lasting family moments. From acting out scenes and crafting characters to dreaming up new storylines, creative approaches make reading dynamic and fun—something children eagerly anticipate!
When routine meets imagination, reading becomes more than just practice—it becomes a joyful celebration of discovery and expression!
Here are a few tips:
Bring Books to Life Through Art.
After reading a story, let your child express their thoughts visually! Art helps children process and interpret stories, making reading a multi-sensory experience. Here are some ideas:
Invent and Tell New Stories. Creativity doesn’t stop at the book’s final page:
Creativity is the secret ingredient that can transform reading from a task into a treasured activity. By tapping into imagination, movement, and play, families can foster a love of books that lasts a lifetime.
Submitted by Judy Howard, M.Ed.
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!