New Position in Manatee County Schools Focuses on Key Area: Attendance
Congratulations to the School District of Manatee County for their commitment to the success of all our students. The recent decision to hire 2…
Manatee Community Foundation Supports the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
This past March, the Manatee Community Foundation gave a grant to the Manatee Library Foundation for the Marauders’ Library Readers program, wh…
A Shared Vision for Grade-Level Reading Success
We are reminded every day in newspaper and on television that America is divided. Our different beliefs and opinions often drive a wedge betwee…
Connecting at the Intersection of Learning and Hunger
There is a longstanding history of innovation and kinship between the Sarasota County Schools and All Faiths Food Bank – a connection that span…
Tackling Summer Learning Loss in Manatee and Sarasota Counties
Summer. Sun-kissed shoulders, kickball games, bubble-stuff, corn-on-the-cob, and the sound of the ice-cream truck trolling down my street after…
A Community Reality and Opportunity
It is so exciting to be a part of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading because we are gathering information, sharing knowledge, and be…
The Numbers Are Telling
“Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together.” – Robert South
Reading proficiency scores both nationally and locally…
A Communitywide Vision of Success Through the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading marks the beginning of a communitywide vision — one shared by both Manatee and Sarasota counties…
Early Learning Session Feedback Highlights Community Areas of Interest
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret M…
Volunteer Bright Spots Abound in Sarasota and Manatee Counties
This post is part of a series highlighting the outstanding contributions of volunteers during National Volunteer Week April 12-18. These volunt…
Volunteers Key to Thinking Outside of the Box to Increase Parent, Community Involvement
This post is part of a series highlighting the outstanding contributions of volunteers during National Volunteer Week April 12-18. These volunt…
Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Leader Inspires a Region
More than 300 people participated in “Breakfast with a Visionary” in Sarasota featuring Ralph Smith, the managing director of the Campaign for…
Building Bridges from the Word Gap to Childhood Reading Success
With the exciting visit of Ralph Smith, managing director of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, to Sarasota and Manatee counties this week…
Bright Spot: Sarasota
Editor’s Note: The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading highlighted the work being done in Sarasota County in this Bright Spot. Bright Spots showca…
Preparing Young Learners Means Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce
I recently attended the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2013 Education Summit where I was particularly interested in how the business community in…
Networks Driving Community Change
If you knew about the statistics lottery for low-income children, you might never look at the future of your community the same way again.
The…
Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Inspires at Florida Philanthropic Network Summit
Nothing could stop Ralph Smith from getting to the Florida Philanthropic Network Summit in Orlando last month — not even 26 hours of flight del…
Florida Funder Gathering Focuses on Grade-Level Reading Gap and Potential
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Kathy Silverberg for sharing this post. Kathy traveled with the Sarasota group to learn more about the Campaign for Gr…