Big Federal Grant To Help Link Some Of Philly's Neediest Elementary Schools With Library Service
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Ten local elementary schools are using a federal grant to connect with the Free Library of Philadelphia online and in person.
The two-year, $1.5 million grant gives each of the ten schools 30 iPads so that students in kindergarten, first and second grades can access e-books from the Free Library.
The district's deputy chief of academic enrichment, Dennis Creedon, says each school is also getting 250 traditional books for a parent read-along.
"The goal is to actually have books available for the students in alignment with what's happening in Social Studies or Science classes. But the literacy component is also going to be offered to parents in learning opportunities that the Free Library will host for them."
The program, called "Building Bridges with Books," is part of the district's effort to get kids reading on grade level by the time they're eight-years-old.
The participating elementary schools are:
Cmdr. John Barry
Gen. George Meade
Delaplaine McDaniel
William C. Bryant
Add B. Anderson
Lewis Elkin
James J. Sullivan
John B. Kelly
James R. Ludlow
Robert Morris