FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Erin Hales, Director of Marketing & Communications
erin.hales@thinktogether.org
714.308.2836
THINK Together Partners with the Masons of California
To Support Early Literacy through Raising A Reader Program
Santa Ana, CA. (April 14, 2016) – As a part of the Public Schools Month Celebration, THINK Together partnered with The Masons of California and Horace Mann Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, April 14 to celebrate the students in pre-TK and Kindergarten classes for their achievements in the Raising a Reader Programs.
Raising a Reader, a national nonprofit organization that partners with organizations like THINK Together, offers evidence-based early literacy and parent engagement programs that demonstrate improvement in reading readiness skills of children birth to age eight. The Masons partner with both organizations to support early literacy and family engagement programs to 38 classrooms in 10 Orange County schools. Since 2012, California Masons have helped ensure that more than 2,700 students and families have access to the vital literacy skills needed to succeed in school and throughout their lives. This local effort is part of a $1.3 million investment that brings critical literacy and family engagement skills to more than 50,000 under-resourced families statewide.
“The Masons of California are proud to support students in Orange County public schools,” says Joseph Stout, Chairman of the Public School Advisory Council and member of the Masons of California.
The Masons are great advocates for public education on several levels. One is the Raising a Reader program, another is the Investment in Success Scholarships as well as other scholarships they provide throughout the year, third is their recognition of five Teachers of the Year statewide, and fourth are the many individual support projects each individual Masons lodge undertakes in their local area in Orange County.
As a part of the celebration at Horace Mann Elementary School, the Masons presented a $91,000 check to the school to help continue their support of education and the program.
Children from each class sang songs to thank the Masons and gave testimonials to demonstrate how important the program is to them. Parents and teachers also showed their appreciation and spoke about the strong impact the program is having on their students and families.
“THINK Together is committed to worked collaboratively with the Masons and Raising a Reader to meet the diverse needs of our students and develop life-long learners” says Tiffany Alva, Early Literacy and Math Director at THINK Together.
To learn more about the Masons of California commitment to public education at freemason.org
To learn more about Raising a Reader programs, visit raisingareader.org
About THINK Together
THINK Together is a nonprofit organization collaborating with communities, parents, teachers, administrators and other stakeholders to help transform and galvanize the K-12 educational system, creating excellence and equity for all kids. THINK Together is California’s largest provider of Expanded Learning Time programs. Through its affiliate, Principal’s Exchange, THINK Together also provides research, professional development and consulting to underserved schools. Combined, THINK Together and Principal’s Exchange serve over 150,000 students at more than 400 locations across more than 45 school districts from Silicon Valley to San Diego. Partnering with school administrators and teachers, THINK Together’s dedicated team of more than 2,500 employees are helping students statewide reach their full potential. THINK is an acronym: Teaching, Helping, Inspiring & Nurturing Kids. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.THINKtogether.org www.facebook.com/THINKtogether.
###