shift_ed, a nonprofit in North Carolina, recently collaborated with Scholastic and local organizations to assemble over 5,000 backpacks for rising kindergarteners in Guilford County Schools. As students register for the upcoming school year, they will receive a backpack filled with Scholastic books and educational tools designed to help prepare them for this crucial first year in school.
Karen Deal, Chief Public Information Officer at shift_ed: "Kindergarten is a pivotal year and shift_ed wanted to support the district's efforts to get students excited about learning before they even step into the classroom."
Dwaine Millard, SVP, National Sales and Partnerships, Scholastic said: “Kindergarten readiness is crucial for children's success in school and we know that early exposure to reading helps develop essential skills. Scholastic is proud to help increase book access in Guildford County Schools so children are well-prepared to thrive, setting the stage for a lifetime of learning and growth."
Backpacks are being given out at kindergarten registration events across the county, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Early literacy and access to books in the home are critical components in educational achievement. Research shows that children in homes with more extensive home libraries read more, have higher-level reading skills, and attain more years of education overall than those with access to fewer books (Scholastic Home Libraries).
Guilford County Schools is one of the 50 largest districts in the nation and the third largest in North Carolina, with approximately 68,000 students.
For more information about shift_ed and their initiatives, visit https://shift-ed.org/.
