This week, seven full-time AmeriCorps Team Leaders have joined the READ USA Literacy Tutoring teams at seven DCPS elementary schools!
Marking a new milestone in READ USA’s history, this is the first time that READ USA has been able to bring in full-time AmeriCorps Team Leaders to support even more elementary students who are below grade-level reading proficiency in the schools we serve.
Funded by AmeriCorps, these full-time Team Leaders will pull small groups of students from their classes between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily to provide 40-minute Literacy Tutoring lessons.
“During the past few weeks, these Team Leaders—who have already tutored with READ USA—participated in intensive training to learn the skills necessary to tutor elementary students in a small-group setting,” shared Tabetha Cox, Chief Programs Officer for READ USA. “While these AmeriCorps Team Leaders have excelled in tutoring students in a one-to-one capacity, they have now been trained to tutor two or three students at a time. As a result, we are doubling or tripling our impact at each of these schools!”
After the school day ends, the full-time AmeriCorps Team Leaders will transition back into a familiar setting for them: tutoring elementary students one-to-one during READ USA Literacy Tutoring, which occurs after school from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for READ USA to multiply our impact, not only on the elementary students receiving tutoring, but also on the Team Leaders who are now working with us full-time,” added our President & CEO Dr. Rob Kelly. “The additional experience they are gaining will further prepare them for the workforce, no matter the career path they choose in their future.”
Congratulations to our new full-time READ USA AmeriCorps Team Leaders! We can’t wait to see all that you and the students you tutor accomplish!
Vote for READ USA: Dec. 5-18th!
Team READ USA is ringing those jingle bells!
We are thrilled to announce that READ USA will have not one, but TWO featured Christmas trees in the Deck The Square holiday event brought to you by the San Marco Merchants Association. Both San Marco Books and More AND Cookie Fix San Marco will feature a tree to support READ USA!
And a special thank you to Louann at Gladwell's Florist who donated her time to decorate the two trees!
San Marco Books and More: “Red, White, and Blue Christmas” Theme
Thank you to Desiree Bailey and her team for choosing READ USA!
Cookie Fix San Marco: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Children’s Book Theme
Voting will run from Dec. 5 – Dec. 18!
We are so grateful to both San Marco Books and More AND Cookie Fix San Marco for supporting the teen tutors, students, and teachers we serve through this wonderful event—our TWO Christmas trees are going to be LIT! (literally and figuratively!)
Here’s how it works:
For several weeks in December, participating merchants in San Marco choose a nonprofit organization to “represent” with a decorated Christmas tree. The Christmas trees then take over San Marco Square, and the community is invited to vote for their favorite trees from 12/5-12/18. Each vote is $1.00, with the tree garnering the most votes winning a grand prize on 12/19.
If you choose to vote more than once, we hope you’ll cast votes for both of our trees! Please share this with family and friends!
Video provided by Desiree, owner of San Marco Books and More, from last year’s holiday event.
THANK YOU to San Marco Books and More AND Cookie Fix San Marco for choosing READ USA as their partner!
New Date: Join Us in April for Mock Interview Day!
READ USA has received so many positive responses from professionals who want to support our teen tutors at our Mock Interview Day, but are unable to attend because of other commitments, so we are postponing the event (previously scheduled for this Saturday, December 6).
We are so grateful for the positive feedback and interest we continue to receive about our teens and Mock Interview Day!
We understand the holidays are a busy time of year, and READ USA wants everyone interested to have an opportunity to participate, so the event has been moved to the spring to hopefully make it easier for more people to participate.
Please mark your calendars for the NEW date: Saturday, April 18, 2026!
Our annual Mock Interview Day is a vital part of our teen tutors’ workforce development experience with READ USA, and we look forward to welcoming professionals and tutors to the Schultz Center in April!
You can sign up for the April event HERE!
Saturday, April 18, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Schultz Center
4019 Boulevard Center Drive
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. | Lunch will be provided
#ICYMI, here’s how Mock Interview Day works:
If you are interested in sponsoring Mock Interview Day or have any questions, email joe@readusainc.com or call 904.732.3872.
We will see you in April! (If not sooner!)
#FastFacts Wednesday: Books, Education & History!
While December is known as the “holiday month” of the year, there are several other occasions to celebrate or honor this month:
December is Read a New Book Month!
In case you were looking for a reason to pick up something new to read, here it is!
December’s cooler weather is the perfect opportunity (or excuse?) to cuddle up with a new book. In fact, national “Read a New Book Month” was created for precisely that reason: to encourage people to read a book they normally wouldn’t!
Step out of your comfort zone and into those comfortable PJs and:
Try a new genre—there is so much to explore in this world!Enjoy those new books, topics, and learnings this month!
Yesterday was National Special Education Day
Celebrated annually on December 2, National Special Education Day commemorates the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that was originally passed in 1975—50 years ago this year!
The day celebrates the progress made in special education, which guarantees that children with disabilities have access to a free, appropriate public education. It also recognizes the teachers, administrators, and parents who support students with disabilities.
You can read more about the IDEA Act here from Exceptional Lives.
Sunday, Dec. 7: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, was a “day that will live in infamy,” according to then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As many know, the ambush ended up marking the official entrance of the United States into World War II, with the United States declaring war on Japan the very next day, on December 8, and then on Germany and Italy a few days later, on December 11.
However, many things happened that day and in the days following the attack that some might not have heard about before: Did you know that the first shot of the battle was fired by an American vessel, the USS Ward? Source here.
Read more lesser-known facts about this infamous day here, and remember: the American flag should be flown at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, Dec. 7!
Children’s Books: A Holiday Book Extravaganza!
Numerous holidays and traditions occur in December, so this week we are featuring three children’s books for you and your family to pick up and enjoy this month:
The Ninth Night of Hanukkah by Erica S. Perl
Illustrated by Shahar Kober
The Ninth Night of Hanukkah by Erica S. Perl is a warm, uplifting story that beautifully captures the spirit of community, generosity, and resilience—values that are meaningful for all families, whether or not they celebrate Hanukkah.
The book follows two siblings, Max and Rachel, who have just moved into a new apartment right as Hanukkah begins. Unfortunately, their holiday supplies are still buried in moving boxes. Instead of letting that spoil the celebration, they reach out to their neighbors for help—borrowing items like candles, a menorah, and even a dreidel. Each neighbor, from all different backgrounds, happily contributes something. Through these interactions, the children experience the true meaning of the holiday: kindness, sharing, and the joy of connecting with others.
What makes this story especially heartwarming is the way it highlights the idea that community can feel like family. When Hanukkah ends, Max and Rachel decide to host a special ninth night—a bonus celebration to thank everyone who supported them. This fictional “ninth night” becomes a symbol of gratitude and giving back.
I highly recommend The Ninth Night of Hanukkah for families who enjoy stories about kindness, multicultural community life, and holiday traditions. It’s a wonderful read-aloud that can spark conversations about generosity and welcoming others.
Natasha Wing’s The Night Before Kwanzaa with Kirsti Jewel
Illustrated by Amy Wummer
The Night Before Kwanzaa is a warm, joyful addition to Natasha Wing’s popular “Night Before” series, introducing young readers to the celebration of Kwanzaa through a familiar poetic style inspired by ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. The book follows a family as they prepare for the seven-day holiday, weaving in the symbols, activities, and values that define Kwanzaa.
Wing uses simple, rhythmic text that helps children understand the meaning of Kwanzaa. Each page highlights a different aspect of the holiday—lighting the kinara, honoring ancestors, sharing food, and practicing the principles such as unity, creativity, and purpose. The back matter also provides a helpful summary of the holiday, making it a great resource for families who are new to Kwanzaa.
The Night Before Kwanzaa is a charming, respectful, and engaging introduction to the holiday. It blends cultural education with festive storytelling, making it an excellent read-aloud for December. The rhythmic text makes it memorable, and the artwork brings the celebration to life.
A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman
Illustrated by Susan Gal
The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, cuddle up, and share stories that celebrate the magic of giving, kindness, and—of course—cookies! A favorite picture book to read with kids this time of year is A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman.
This delightful picture book takes young readers (and their grown-ups) on a global Christmas Eve adventure. We travel from the Philippines to Russia, from South Africa to Mexico, discovering how children around the world prepare for Santa’s arrival. Each stop introduces a new treat and tradition—Greek kourabiedes, Kenyan coconut macaroons, and Australian biscuits—and reminds us that while our customs may look different, the joy of sharing sweets and stories is universal.
What’s great about A World of Cookies for Santa is that it feels both festive and educational. Kids get to learn about geography, culture, and empathy, all wrapped in the excitement of Christmas Eve. The book naturally sparks questions like, “Where’s that country on the map?” or “Can we make those cookies, too?”
And yes, there are recipes! The back of the book includes a few easy cookie recipes inspired by the countries featured, which makes this a great pick for a family baking day or a classroom holiday activity.
A World of Cookies for Santa is more than a Christmas story—it’s an invitation to celebrate diversity and connection. It shows our children that kindness and generosity are shared values everywhere on Earth, and that no matter where Santa travels, he’s always met with love (and cookies!).
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant
Parent Education Corner: Holiday Word Scavenger Hunt
Here’s a fun Holiday Word Scavenger Hunt you can do at home. It’s family-friendly and adaptable depending on the age of your children.
How It Works:
Holiday Word List Ideas:
Instead of just finding words, players can also find objects or write clues:
Submitted by Melanie Poag, READ USA Content Assistant