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In addition, Scholastic Reading Club will match each dollar of Patterson’s donation with “bonus points” that teachers can use to acquire books and other materials for their classrooms.
Dolan was selected from more than 28,000 applications for grants. Patterson and Scholastic Reading Club announced earlier this year that Patterson would donate $1.75 million to save school libraries nationwide, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, as part of an ongoing effort to keep books and reading a No. 1 priority in the United States, according to a press release.
"We are looking forward to using the Patterson grant to purchase new books and to invest in innovative ways to encourage the love of reading for all Dolan Middle School students,” said Dolan Principal Charmaine Tourse in a press release. “Many children lose their passion for literature at this age, and it is critical that we provide them with high-interest materials that they will enjoy reading and that will foster a lifelong love for books.”
“With nearly half the population currently reading at or below the basic level, the United States is truly in the middle of a crisis,” said Patterson in a press release. “I’ve now read over a thousand letters from school librarians, teachers and parents about the lack of resources at our country’s schools. How will children make it to high school without access to books? This is a huge problem, and we have to take action.”
Tourse expressed gratitude to the school’s media specialist, Tara Wilcox, who was instrumental in securing this money for the school.
“The Dolan Media Center will benefit greatly as a result of Tara’s commitment to school improvement and her genuine love of literacy," Tourse said in a press release.
Any U.S. school with students from prekindergarten to 12th grade is eligible for a grant.
To learn more, go here.
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