34,500+ Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) students,
77 public elementary schools, and
204 READ USA volunteers
…all came together during the past six weeks at READ USA Book Fairs to create a delightfully meaningful experience focused on our favorite things: learning, children, and free BOOKS!
“READ USA Book Fair season always recenters us on our mission and purpose behind Book Choice & Ownership and the importance of students having access to books in the home,” shared our Chief Programs Officer Tabetha Cox. “And when students get to choose the books they want to read, it significantly increases their likelihood to read them – and just as importantly, their enjoyment in reading them! The timing of READ USA Book Fairs is intentional, too: students now have books at home to enjoy while they’re home for the summer.”
Team READ USA – and every student who attended the Book Fairs – is extremely grateful to DCPS for being the major funder of the 2025 READ USA Book Fairs. We are also very grateful for the support of the DCPS School Board, who voted unanimously in favor of the funding and approval to proceed with this year’s Book Fairs. To the DCPS School Board, administration, and principals and teachers across Duval County, THANK YOU!
The 2025 READ USA Book Fairs were also possible because of the investment of private and corporate donors, many of whom have been long-time supporters of READ USA Book Fairs. For their support, financially and otherwise, Team READ USA is so thankful – and we can proudly put a bow on our 15th year of READ USA Book Fairs!
“We received a lot of positive feedback about the new book vendor and the book selection this year,” added Tabetha. “Principals, teachers, and school support personnel also praised our volunteers and the number of volunteers – who are vital to operating the Book Fairs.”
She continued, “Our gratitude is infinite when it comes to our volunteers: not only do they bring the ‘muscle’ to make the Book Fairs run smoothly, but they also bring so much heart and joy to the Book Fairs, which is felt by everyone from the students to the teachers to the administration. Our volunteers are an extension of Team READ USA, and we are so thankful for how they bring READ USA’s mission and work to life so wonderfully and in such a genuine, heartfelt way. We are forever grateful!”
Thank you to our incredible READ USA volunteers!
Every year at the READ USA Book Fairs, each student also receives an Activity Guide and Parent Resource Guide with their free books – and we continue to receive positive feedback about these each year as well! The guides are available in English and eight different languages, including Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Burmese, Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Farsi. You can check out the digital versions of these guides HERE.
To everyone who donated, volunteered, attended, or received books during the READ USA Book Fairs, THANK YOU for making the experience a highlight of the year for everyone involved! We are immensely grateful for your support!
#ICYMI: READ USA Releases 2024 Impact Report
Have you seen our 2024 Impact Report yet?
From achieving grade-level reading proficiency to cultivating workforce skills, 2024 was a year of incredible growth for the students and teens READ USA serves – and you can read all of the details here:
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A couple highlights include:
- 1,000+ elementary students achieved or improved grade-level reading proficiency, many of whom were one or two years behind in proficiency.
- Nearly 100% of the teen tutors who participated in our inaugural Summer Leadership Academy chose their career path and mapped out the requirements for employment in their chosen field – a 29% increase due to their participation.
THANK YOU to our donors, funders, partners, and collaborators for joining alongside Team READ USA to make these incredible growth opportunities and community-building accomplishments possible!
Check out our 2024 Impact Report HERE. If you would like to receive a printed version, please email joe@readusainc.com.
Dr. Kelly Becomes Meninak Member
Our President and CEO Dr. Rob Kelly has officially become a member of the Meninak Club of Jacksonville, which has had more than a century of impact in the Jacksonville community since its founding in 1919.
Dr. Kelly, middle, is joined by Bill Bishop, left, and Dr. Davalu “Davy” Parrish on the right.
“What attracted me to Meninak was the long-standing history of impact of the organization in Jacksonville,” shared Dr. Kelly, who is also a native of Jacksonville. “Its members’ legacy of service continues to inspire people across all sectors of our community, including me. Furthermore, their focus on ensuring that every citizen of Jacksonville receives support, particularly our youth, directly aligns with our work at READ USA and with my personal career in literacy and education: to ensure every child has the ability to read and thrive in life.”
Thank you to Dr. Parrish for sponsoring him as a new member, and to the Meninak Club of Jacksonville for warmly welcoming Dr. Kelly into your ranks! We look forward to seeing all that your members continue to accomplish and advance for our community!
Reminder: Please Vote!
If you’re a member of Target Circle, remember to VOTE for READ USA!
READ USA is an approved charity in the Target Circle program, and that means that YOU have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to the students, teens, teachers, and families we serve! Here’s how:
Now through June 30, vote for READ USA through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up.
(You can read more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle.)
To vote, you must be a Target Circle member, and you can vote in the Target Circle app online at Target.com:
- Step 1: Choose ‘My Target’ in the Target app or ‘Account’ on Target.com
- Step 2: Tap ‘Cast votes’
- Step 3: Find READ USA & vote
Plus, you can keep voting multiple times between now and June 30! Let’s get to voting, shall we?!
Thank you to Target for providing READ USA with this opportunity!
Thank You, Women’s Health Innovation Network!
This past Saturday, the READ USA Board of Directors held a half-day strategic planning retreat to continue shaping the future of our organization and maximizing the impact of our mission.
Not only was it a highly constructive and collaborative session, but it was also a good time had by all!
We wanted to extend a special thank you to the Women’s Health Innovation Network (WHIN) who graciously donated their office space for the retreat! For making this possible, our particular gratitude goes to Dr. Chris Sapienza, Chief Development & Operations Officer (and also Executive Vice President of Partnerships & Development at Jacksonville University), who introduced us to WHIN. Thank you also to Jane Muir, Founding Executive Director of WHIN, and Maria Montoya, who leads marketing and communications for WHIN, for your support before and during the retreat.
We also want to thank our facilitator, Jana Ertrachter, MBA, Principal of the Ertrachter Group, for leading us during our planning sessions. Our Board members appreciated your unique insights and guidance during this process!
Thank you to WHIN, Dr. Sapienza, Jane, Maria, Jana, and most importantly to our dedicated READ USA Board Members, for an energizing and productive Saturday together!
Children’s Book: Celebrating Holidays: Memorial Day by Rachel Grack
Written and illustrated by Rachel Grack
Celebrating Holidays: Memorial Day is a children’s book that offers an engaging and educational exploration of Memorial Day, presenting its importance in a way that young readers can easily understand. This book is part of a broader series designed to educate children about various holidays and their significance.
The book helps children understand the history and significance of Memorial Day, a day dedicated to honoring those who have died in the United States military service. It covers the holiday’s origins, the traditions linked to it, and how communities across the nation observe the day.
The author, Rachel Grack, uses straightforward language that is accessible for young readers, paired with illustrations that effectively convey the spirit of Memorial Day celebrations. This makes the book an ideal resource for classrooms or for parents to share with their children.
More than just presenting facts, Celebrating Holidays: Memorial Day highlights the values of sacrifice, respect, and gratitude, encouraging children to understand the true meaning of the holiday and honor those who have served.
The book encourages readers to reflect on how they can personally observe the holiday, promoting actions such as attending parades or visiting cemeteries, and deepening their respect for the day.
Celebrating Holidays: Memorial Day is an excellent resource for introducing young readers to the significance of Memorial Day. With its engaging narrative and vibrant illustrations, it offers both an enjoyable and educational experience, making it an excellent choice for teaching children about American history and the importance of remembrance.
Submitted by Judy Howard, READ USA Michael Ward & Jennifer Glock Literacy Institute Senior Director
Parent Education Corner: Understanding Different Purposes of Writing (Grades K-6)
Understanding Different Purposes of Writing (Grades K-6)
Communication through writing is vital to literacy development. These tips can help children understand the different purposes of writing and how to communicate effectively for those specific purposes. Before you begin to write with your child at home, ask them what they are trying to accomplish in their writing. For examples of purposes for writing, you can use the tips below to help guide them.
You are your child’s first teacher! Always remember your unwavering support and encouragement are vital to their success. Helping them understand the purposes of writing will build confidence and support their continued development into a more skilled reader and writer.
Submitted by Judy Howard, READ USA Michael Ward & Jennifer Glock Literacy Institute Senior Director
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!