Videos

The When You Wonder, You’re Learning Book Circle Project kicked off September 13 and 14 with a visit to the Suncoast by co-author Ryan Rydzewski, and his enthusiasm set the stage for our region’s book circle adventure. When You Wonder, You’re Learning reveals this never-before-seen side of America’s favorite neighbor, exploring how Rogers nurtured the “tools for learning” now deemed essential for school, work, and life.

Suncoast Remake Learning Days, the exciting, 10-day free, regional learning festival, was held from Friday, April 21, 2023, through Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. The festival was a success, with more than 25,000 attendees!

In partnership with The Patterson Foundation and the Laundry Project, a Pop-Up Neighbor Through Laundry event occurred on Saturday, May 13, 2023. As a surprise, all the laundry fees were covered for anyone who walked through the door of SuperMatt Laundromat on 15th Street in Bradenton, FL.

This joyous and inspirational morning included keynote speaker, Ralph Smith, Managing Director of the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, video presentations of the work happening in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, and opportunities for attendees to affirm their commitment to the children and families in the region.

During the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s 2022 Community Update, representatives from Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties shared the past year’s accomplishments. Niavy and Janeli take viewers through a checklist to explain the threads that create SCGLR’s unique tapestry.

Niavy & Janeli take viewers on a THIS BOOK IS COOL Jr. Edition adventure, with Al Phabet in the book, Scientists Ask Questions!

BREAKING NEWS….this just in. The Attendance Awareness Poster Contest — the contest within the contest!

Let’s celebrate Attendance Awareness month by spreading the message about the importance of participating in school….because Every Day Counts! Our brains light up when we are learning new things, so Make Every Day a Learning Day and build your most powerful brain 🙌🏼

Thanks to the generosity of The Patterson Foundation and SCGLR, in partnership with the Laundry Project, as a surprise, laundry fees were covered for all laundromat customers. There were snacks, drinks, and a colorful book nook with books the children could take home to add to their home libraries. Community partners from United Way of Charlotte County, the Health Department, Charlotte County Libraries, Kids Thrive!, and the Sheriff’s Department spent the morning sharing their expertise and hearts with the laundromat patrons.

We all know THIS BOOK IS COOL!, but have you seen how cool the kiddos are?! 🙌

We all know THIS BOOK IS COOL!, but have you seen how cool the kiddos are?! 🙌

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading presented Suncoast Remake Learning Days, an exciting 10-day, free, regional learning festival from Friday, April 29, 2022, through Sunday, May 8, 2022, in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. This multi-venue open house celebrated the joy of adults and children learning side by side. This song parody captures some of the events and excitement shared by more than 10,000 attendees during Suncoast Remake Learning Days.

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR) and The Laundry Project teamed up to hold a Pop Up Neighbor event as part of Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Study Away class. For three hours, everyone who walked into the laundromat got their laundry fees paid, thanks to the generosity of The Patterson Foundation. A total of 593 loads of laundry were washed and cleaned for 51 grateful and joyous families.

More than 390 communities across the country — including the Suncoast region in Florida — are working to increase early-reading proficiency. The campaign brings better ways to deliver support and resources to children in need by mobilizing a broad base of stakeholders to improve school readiness, attendance, and summer learning opportunities for children from asset-limited families.

During the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s 2021 Community Update, representatives from Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties shared in the accomplishments of the past year. Executive Director of United Way Charlotte County, Angie Matthiessen, introduces a few Charlotte County partners who are mobilizing.

During the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s 2021 Community Update, representatives from Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties shared in the accomplishments of the past year. Chief Impact Officer of United Way Suncoast, Bronwyn Beightol, talks about how United Way Suncoast is helping asset-limited families to have the freedom to rise.

Beth Duda, director of SCGLR was a welcomed guest on the Suncoast View. Take a glimpse to learn about the importance of early learning and SCGLR’s newest program offerings, including Stronger Me, Stronger We​ and volunteer opportunities.

Beth Duda, director of Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, was a welcomed guest on the Suncoast View. Take a glimpse to learn about the importance of early learning and why parent and family engagement is essential for success.

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading created Kindergarten Readiness Bags to provide learning support for incoming kindergarteners in the months before school begins so that children can start school ready to learn. Who gets them? All incoming kindergarteners attending public schools in Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties, and all incoming kindergarteners attending Title 1 schools in Manatee County.

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading created Kindergarten Readiness Bags to provide learning support for incoming kindergarteners in the months before school begins so that children can start school ready to learn. Who gets them? All incoming kindergarteners attending public schools in Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties, and all incoming kindergarteners attending Title 1 schools in Manatee County.

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading created Kindergarten Readiness Bags to provide learning support for incoming kindergarteners in the months before school begins so that children can start school ready to learn. Who gets them? All incoming kindergarteners attending public schools in Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties, and all incoming kindergarteners attending Title 1 schools in Manatee County.

As a driving force of innovation, impact, and improvement in its work to support early school success, the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading has received six 2019 Pacesetter Honors in five categories from the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.

Leaders from Charlotte County shared in the accomplishments of the past 12 months. Participants learned about the current work happening as we strengthened our resolve to help children from birth through 3rd grade, especially those from asset-limited families, succeed in life by ensuring they read on grade level.

Leaders from Desoto County shared in the accomplishments of the past 12 months. Participants learned about the current work happening as we strengthened our resolve to help children from birth through 3rd grade, especially those from asset-limited families, succeed in life by ensuring they read on grade level.

Leaders from Manatee County shared in the accomplishments of the past 12 months. Participants learned about the current work happening as we strengthened our resolve to help children from birth through 3rd grade, especially those from asset-limited families, succeed in life by ensuring they read on grade level.

Leaders from Sarasota County shared in the accomplishments of the past 12 months. Participants learned about the current work happening as we strengthened our resolve to help children from birth through 3rd grade, especially those from asset-limited families, succeed in life by ensuring they read on grade level.

In the spring of 2020—as the COVID-19 virus disrupted schools, after school programs, and plans for summer learning—Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading sprang into action to give children and families motivation to keep reading!

The Florida Center for Early Childhood and the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading presented this webinar designed to help parents and children, 7 years old and older, talk about the Coronavirus and COVID-19.

Additional resources provided by The Florida Center for Early Childhood.

The Florida Center for Early Childhood and the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading presented this webinar designed to help parents talk with their children about the Coronavirus and COVID-19.

Additional resources provided by The Florida Center for Early Childhood.

The Florida Center for Early Childhood and the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading presented this webinar designed to help parents and children, 6 years old and younger, talk about the Coronavirus and COVID-19.

Additional resources provided by The Florida Center for Early Childhood.

Nearly 300 people gathered for the 2019 Community Update Breakfast to learn about the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. This video provides a recap of some of the meaningful work taking place in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

To harness the inherent power of Suncoast families and strengthen the parents who shape them, the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR), with support from The Patterson Foundation, began facilitating a series of book circles open to the community to explore The Power of Presence, written by Peabody Award-winning author Joy Thomas Moore.

On May 4, 2019, SCGLR hosted the Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Blast Off event. More than 300 individuals representing 90 summer camps and programs from a four-county region spent the day learning, sharing, and strengthening their abilities to combat the summer slide.

This catchy jingle embodies the spirit of playfulness with a clear message: missing less than five days of school is hitting the mark of excellence! Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and The Laundry Project teamed up to hold #PopUpNeighbor events at SuperMatt Laundromat/Lavandería locations. Pop Up Neighbor events are unexpected opportunities where caring volunteers make real connections with individuals and families while alleviating the cost of laundry. For three hours, everyone who walked into the laundromat had their laundry fees paid, thanks to the generosity of The Patterson Foundation.

Mind in the Making workshops is an unprecedented effort to share the science of children’s learning with the general public, families, and professionals who work with children and families. Based on the book Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky, the series of workshops focuses on the seven essential life skills that every child needs now and to thrive in the future.

Beth Duda, Director of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, discusses the campaign’s educational initiatives in partnership with Sarasota County Schools.

Three hundred families from Manatee and Sarasota counties became VROOM Pioneers by participating in a SCGLR pilot program sponsored by The Patterson Foundation. To celebrate the successful conclusion of the pilot program, a celebration for all the Pioneer families was held at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

In November 2015, Remote Area Medical held a clinic in Bradenton. Free medical, dental, and vision care were made available on a first-come, first-served basis. SCGLR, through the generosity of The Patterson Foundation, was able to give a free book to each of the participating children and inform parents about Vroom, an app that turns everyday moments into brain-building moments.