“Thank
you for the smiles you have brought to my students
and to their families! I only wish you could
be here when they get the books for then you
could truly see the impact you have on their
lives.”
-Maggie Pullman, 1st grade teacher, Putnam Elementary
“In the past I used to distribute book
orders. I often shared my perspective about
books that were offered and talked up particular
selections. Despite my book talks, rarely
did more than three students ever order books.
There simply was never money enough to do
so. It was often an uncomfortable event when
book orders came in. Students who had ordered
were gazed upon with a sad kind of envy. Not
so today!
As a result of [Book Trust’s] efforts,
our entire class can’t wait to see the
book orders arrive. The forms are returned
quickly and now everyone has the thrill of
placing orders and most importantly learning
to love to read.
This year I have actually had students ask
to stay in during recess just to enjoy extra
reading time. My students now not only have
our classroom collection to enjoy, but they
also have begun a library at home.”
- P. Diane Williams, 4th grade teacher
“Our students deal with challenges on
many levels. A large percentage of our students
are English language learners. Many are at
the poverty level. At the present, 88.9% of
our students take part in the federal free
and reduced lunch program. Our students would
not be able to purchase new books if it weren’t
for the Book Trust Program. Before this program
came to our school, I had stopped providing
the opportunity for my students to order books
monthly from Scholastic. It was too heart-breaking
to have the same two or three students ordering
each month while the rest of my class was
unable to take part due to financial difficulties.
I would use my few points to “purchase”
books once or twice a year so all would have
a new book or two. But now, thanks to [Book
Trust] and their partnership with Scholastic,
all my students are fortunate enough to receive
books each month.
Now, I have a far different problem to deal
with. It starts in the afternoon of the day
that orders are due. My students start asking
when the books will arrive. A day or two passes
and then they are asking if the books have
arrived. When the box of books is delivered,
I now know to “hide” it until
I’ve sorted the books and they are ready
to distribute. I’ve made the mistake
of bringing the box into the classroom and
setting it next to my desk. Then there is
no peace until I have handed out the books.
Needless to say, my students are grateful
to have their books.
The students at Irish are special children.
I’ve been there almost twenty years;
I know this to be true. I thank you so much
for helping to level the playing field.”
Jeannie Craft
First Grade Teacher, Irish Elementary School
“The students were very excited to receive
the books! The Book Trust program is a wonderful
help in promoting reading to students. It
has created a love for books and reading in
many children who would not be able to “purchase”
books of their very own, due to family finances.
THANK YOU for including Cache La Poudre Elementary
in this fabulous program.”
-The Cache La Poudre Elementary School staff.
“Thank you for your wonderful contribution
to the students in my class. The seven dollars
from each month’s book order provided
books in homes with very few books. I am truly
thankful for your generosity.”
-1st grade teacher, Putnam Elementary
“Thank you for providing this wonderful
opportunity to my students to choose books.
One parent sent a note back with her order
saying, “These are awesome free books
– Thank you.” Several parents
were also able to afford some great book stets
by paying a couple dollars more.
I am new to Irish this year and was amazed
at the generosity that allows children to
have books of their own. Many would not without
your help!”
-Stacey Jensen, Kindergarden teacher
“Teachers are seeing more participation
in the AR Test (optional accelerated reading
tests), and kids are excited to do it, and
children [are] picking books because of an
author, suddenly picking all of that author’s
writings, or a topic that they’re interested
in. They go from the fun ones that they chose
because they’re interested, to ‘this
is relevant to what we’re studying in
school, so I want another book on that’.
“I remember reading a study that talked
about the fact that kids will pick out books
that many of us would consider of lower quality,
like Golden Books, books at the grocery store,
they would pick out those and be more invested
in those because it was something they got
to choose, than a children’s classic
that they didn’t have the ownership
in. The whole issue of choice is really important.
It may be the silliest little story, but who
the heck cares? It’s about choice. They’re
engaged in choice, and they’re going
to read more.”
-Brenda Gifford, Principal, Irish Elementary
“On behalf of the Poudre School District,
we’d like to thank you for the Book
Trust program. So many of us remember the
thrill of receiving book club flyers in elementary
school and picking out books for ourselves.
Your innovative program provides a source
of excitement for children in need, as well
as a great impetus to increase student literacy.”
-Stacey Poncelow, Grants Coordinator, Poudre
School District
