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Lehigh Valley Reads\u2019 school attendance initiative recognized for community’s contributions to the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Allentown, PA, October 7, 2020 <\/strong>\u2013 The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) announced that it is recognizing Lehigh Valley Reads with Bright Spot Honors for its work in 2019 in the community solutions to improve school attendance and reduce chronic absence.<\/p>\n Each year, the CGLR uses its Pacesetter Honors to highlight communities across the United States that exemplify extraordinary vision and best practices for their work on key indicators of early school success.<\/p>\n \u201cWe applaud the civic leaders and local funders whose time, talent, energy and imagination have fueled progress in these Bright Spots Communities,\u201d says Ralph Smith, managing director of CGLR. \u201cMobilized communities support our big bet on the problem-solving potential of proximity, and we all have much to learn and emulate from their success.\u201d<\/p>\n Lehigh Valley Reads was recognized for Challenge 5<\/a>, an attendance campaign that focused on both community-based and school-based strategies to encourage all kids to strive for less than five absences \u2013 excused or unexcused \u2013 all year. The Bright Spot Honors specifically notes the Attendance Ambassador pilot program, in which United Way\u2019s Challenge 5 Attendance Coalition and Moravian College partnered with a Bethlehem Area School District elementary school. A college student was assigned to the school to focus on individual attendance needs, including gathering data, connecting with families, or implementing activities and campaigns to support students and faculty. The program provides a consistent mentorship opportunity, builds positive relationships, and allows students to feel noticed when they miss school.<\/p>\n \u201cMissing school is often a symptom of a deeper issue. Lehigh Valley Reads\u2019 ongoing collaboration with partners has allowed the Challenge 5 Attendance Coalition to develop and implement models that keep children engaged in school,\u201d says Angela Zanelli, campaign director of Lehigh Valley Reads. \u201cDaily attendance is integral to school success, and we are grateful for the key partnership with Moravian College that gave way to the Attendance Ambassadors program.\u201d<\/p>\n The program has since expanded to include partners in three school districts, six elementary schools and four local colleges.<\/p>\n In July, CGLR awarded Lehigh Valley Reads with Pacesetter Honors in three categories: improving Instruction for Lehigh Valley Reads\u2019 Micro-Credential continuing education for teachers, strengthening Support Services for United Way\u2019s AmeriCorps VISTA <\/a>program and Agents of Change for Lehigh Valley Community Schools<\/a>.<\/p>\n CGLR is a collaborative effort by funders, nonprofit partners, business leaders, government agencies, states and communities to ensure that more children in low-income families succeed in school and graduate prepared for college, a career and active citizenship. CGLR focuses on promoting early school success as an important building block of more hopeful futures for children in economically challenged families and communities.<\/p>\n Powered by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley Public Media, home of PBS39, Lehigh Valley Reads is a regional literacy campaign committed to ensuring that all Lehigh Valley students read on grade level by the end of third grade by 2025. Third grade is the pivotal moment when children transition from learning how to read, to reading to learn, and it is the most important predictor of high school graduation and future life success.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is to provide the leadership, convene the partnerships, and develop the resources and solutions that improve our community. We remain committed to these goals and sincerely appreciate the continued support of partners, program providers and donors throughout the Lehigh Valley. www.UnitedWayGLV.org<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Launched in 2010, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a collaborative effort of funders, nonprofit partners, business leaders, government agencies, states and communities across the nation to ensure that many more children from low-income families succeed in school and graduate prepared for college, a career and active citizenship. Since its launch, CGLR has grown to include more than 350 communities, representing 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and two provinces in Canada<\/p>\n \u2014 with 5,000+ local organizations and 510 state and local funders (including 200+ United Ways). To learn more, visit gradelevelreading.net <\/a>and follow the movement on Twitter @readingby3rd<\/a>.<\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lehigh Valley Reads\u2019 school attendance initiative recognized for community’s contributions to the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. \u00a0 Allentown, PA, October 7, 2020 \u2013 The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) … Continue reading Lehigh Valley Reads Nationally Recognized for Supporting Early School Success<\/span> Mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley<\/h1>\n
About the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading<\/h1>\n
\nLaura McHugh
\nAssociate Vice President, Communications and Media Relations
\nUnited Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
\n1110 American Parkway NE\u00a0\u00a0Suite F-120 \u00a0Allentown, PA 18109
\nwww.unitedwayglv.org<\/p>\n
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