Plant a Seed Read 2017

8

PLANT A SEED...READ!

Plant a Seed...READ

July 2017

facebook.com/plantaseedread

"Where every child learns to read on the lap of a caring adult."

Plant a Seed Continues to Grow!

From March to December, 2016, Plant a Seed...READ! (PASR) saw its program grow 100% in individual giving and enrollment in the Imagination Library grew 61%. The graduation rate is from 2-6 children per month. We only had 5 children move from our designated area in 2016. This was all due to your support and the board’s work in other areas to increase awareness in the following areas:          

Adopt a Reader program Business Partnerships Grants Addition of Blaine County Fun Events—Breakfast for Literacy and the Shopping Spree Training in the Ready for Kindergarten program Monthly newsletters for parents As of December, 2016: Increase in Facebook visits  212 children were enrolled Design of a new website  163 have graduated since 2010 Spring Capital Campaign  93 children have moved out of the area since 2010

CHECK THIS OUT www.plantaseedreadmt.org

Facebook.com/plantaseedread/

Thank you for your continued support as we promote reading aloud to children from birth on.

2

Plant a Seed...READ

July 2017

facebook.com/plantaseedread

7

July 2017

appropriate book once a month for one year in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Plant a Seed...READ

facebook.com/plantaseedread

$25 provides a child from birth to age 5 with an age-appropriate book once a month for one year in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Adopt a Reader Sponsorship Card

Board of Directors Executive Board

Directors

Name of Sponsor:_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________________ State:____________ Zip:______________________________________ Phone (h):_____________________________________ Cell:________________________________________________________ Email:______________________________________________________________________________________________________ I would like to sponsor: Child’s Name:__________________________________ Parent’s Name:_________________________________ Phone:____________

I would like to designate by donation: In Memory of:_______________________________ In Honor of:_________________________________ I would like to sponsor number of children ____ x $25.00 = $__________________ Bridget Kallenberger.........................President

Marit Ita

Sandy Wilson............................Vice President

Loretta Widdekind

Vicki Wilkins................................... Treasurer

Denise Haugen

Directors at Large

Bryan Danley..................................................................BNSF Val Frank................................................. Blaine County Library Kelsey James............................................ Blaine County Library Patty Miley

Ashley Martin...................................... Havre-Hill County Library Colleen Brummber...............................................Harlem Library Janeen Brookie........................................ Phillips County Library

Advisors

T Wayne Koepke................................ T Wayne Koepke CPA PC Karen Alley............................................. Public Defender Office

PASR Staff

Lorraine Verploegen....................................... Executive Director

Katie Hulett-Christian Not Pictured

Charlene Lowen

Make checks payable and send to: Plant a Seed...READ! PO Box 782 Havre, MT 59501

6

July 2017

Plant a Seed...READ

facebook.com/plantaseedread

Reading aloud from birth is the single most important thing parents can do to prepare a child for reading and learning.

What Does Reading Aloud Each Day Provide?

Sharing books with children from birth enhances” • Having a special one-one relationship with an adult while you read, talk, sing and play with them; • Sharing books help the children to talk, strengthen sentence structure and vo-cabulary; • Establishing routines; • Copying and repeating what you have read, by learning concepts about print, holding the book, turning pages, and “reading” left to right; • Building self-confidence with reading books, acting out the story, and express-ing themselves • Gaining knowledge of world around them while reading books.

• Becoming more imaginative in their storytelling; • Becoming more curious about books and what they can learn from them; • Helping them become better listeners in preparation for the school setting.

3

Plant a Seed...READ

July 2017

Who Are We?

facebook.com/plantaseedread

Join the Plant a Seed...READ! Team

Plant a Seed...READ! is a proactive nonprofit that supports children from birth to age 5 in developing the necessary readiness skills to start kindergarten. It acts as the umbrella for other programs for parents, child care providers, preschool teachers, and volunteers.

What Do We Do?

We raise funds throughout three counties; Blaine, Hill, and Phillips, to ensure all children from birth to age 5 have the opportunity to receive age-appropriate books through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library.

Where every child becomes a reader on the lap of a caring adult. ~Plant a Seed...READ!

A letter from the executive director Lorraine Verploegen

Many wonderful things have happened during the past year at Plant a Seed...

READ! We welcome Phillips County on board with the Plant a Seed...READ/ Imagination Library programs. Community interest has enabled us to enroll over 400 children, to date, through the Adopt-a-Reader campaign and business partnerships have increased. In November of 2016, Plant a Seed...READ! was awarded the 2016 Hopa Mountain Citizen Leadership award at the program and individual level. A deep appreciation goes to Voyd St. Pierre, superintendent of Rocky Boy Schools, for recognizing the benefits of the Imagination Library and has enrolled their Early Head Start and Head Start children in 2017.

Our main mission is to enroll 60% of the children in each county by 2020. This is done by partnerships with community members, businesses, and grants. Since grants are not always given yearly, we are working diligently with community members for our sustainability through the Adopt a Reader campaign. We know that for every $1 spent on early childhood there is a return on investment of $7-10 back to the community. Currently, the Dollywood Foundation sends out over 1,000,000 books each month.

We applaud our donors and volunteers for our continued success in increasing the language, literacy and social/emotional growth of our youngest learners in each of our communities. Our success in growth is because of each of you. You recognized the need to read to children from birth on up every day for their continued growth and success throughout their lives.

Thank you to a very special board of directors who have helped children to start their learning in a positive way. In Dolly’s words, “Dream of doing more with your life, learn from everything you see and do, care for everyone and everything that crosses your path, and be more than you ever dreamed you could become.”

A letter from the president Bridget Kallenberger

Although the life of a parent is often hectic, finding the time to read to your child is important. Don't be discouraged if you skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule. Just read to your child as often as you possibly can. Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an important message: Reading is worthwhile.

With your help, as your children begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word, they can grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.

4

July 2017

Plant a Seed...READ

facebook.com/plantaseedread

Why Do We Provide This Opportunity?

Research is showing us 40% of children entering kindergarten are from 1-3 years behind in readiness skills, 20% are at level, and 40% are 1-2 years ahead. With this knowledge, a kindergarten teacher could see a five year span at the beginning of the year. Just by reading aloud to a child from birth, 15-20 minutes a day, parents can provide many of these readiness skills. Since children’s brains develop up to 85% during this time period, it is important we take the time to read aloud everyday!! Every child should have this opportunity to feel successful.

What Can You Do?

Join the Plant a Seed...READ! team by making a difference in a child’s learning success.

For $25 a year, a child will receive 12 age-appropriate books sent to directly to the child.

Your donation can be designated to: • Plant a Seed…READ! • Sponsor a child of your choice in the I.L. • Sponsor a child on the waiting list in the I.L. You donation may be: • In honor of someone special • In memory of someone special • And you may request your donation be anonymous Volunteer opportunities are available to interested community members and organizations, such as: • Enrolling newborns into the program • Assisting in literacy events • Assisting in the yearly campaign • Delivering materials to businesses such as posters, placemats, etc.

• Building bookracks

5

July 2017

Plant a Seed...READ

facebook.com/plantaseedread

4

July 2017

Plant a Seed...READ

facebook.com/plantaseedread

Why Do We Provide This Opportunity?

Research is showing us 40% of children entering kindergarten are from 1-3 years behind in readiness skills, 20% are at level, and 40% are 1-2 years ahead. With this knowledge, a kindergarten teacher could see a five year span at the beginning of the year. Just by reading aloud to a child from birth, 15-20 minutes a day, parents can provide many of these readiness skills. Since children’s brains develop up to 85% during this time period, it is important we take the time to read aloud everyday!! Every child should have this opportunity to feel successful.

What Can You Do?

Join the Plant a Seed...READ! team by making a difference in a child’s learning success.

For $25 a year, a child will receive 12 age-appropriate books sent to directly to the child.

Your donation can be designated to: • Plant a Seed…READ! • Sponsor a child of your choice in the I.L. • Sponsor a child on the waiting list in the I.L. You donation may be: • In honor of someone special • In memory of someone special • And you may request your donation be anonymous Volunteer opportunities are available to interested community members and organizations, such as: • Enrolling newborns into the program • Assisting in literacy events • Assisting in the yearly campaign • Delivering materials to businesses such as posters, placemats, etc.

• Building bookracks

5

July 2017

Plant a Seed...READ

facebook.com/plantaseedread

6

July 2017

Plant a Seed...READ

facebook.com/plantaseedread

Reading aloud from birth is the single most important thing parents can do to prepare a child for reading and learning.

What Does Reading Aloud Each Day Provide?

Sharing books with children from birth enhances” • Having a special one-one relationship with an adult while you read, talk, sing and play with them; • Sharing books help the children to talk, strengthen sentence structure and vo-cabulary; • Establishing routines; • Copying and repeating what you have read, by learning concepts about print, holding the book, turning pages, and “reading” left to right; • Building self-confidence with reading books, acting out the story, and express-ing themselves • Gaining knowledge of world around them while reading books.

• Becoming more imaginative in their storytelling; • Becoming more curious about books and what they can learn from them; • Helping them become better listeners in preparation for the school setting.

3

Plant a Seed...READ

July 2017

Who Are We?

facebook.com/plantaseedread

Join the Plant a Seed...READ! Team

Plant a Seed...READ! is a proactive nonprofit that supports children from birth to age 5 in developing the necessary readiness skills to start kindergarten. It acts as the umbrella for other programs for parents, child care providers, preschool teachers, and volunteers.

What Do We Do?

We raise funds throughout three counties; Blaine, Hill, and Phillips, to ensure all children from birth to age 5 have the opportunity to receive age-appropriate books through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library.

Where every child becomes a reader on the lap of a caring adult. ~Plant a Seed...READ!

A letter from the executive director Lorraine Verploegen

Many wonderful things have happened during the past year at Plant a Seed...

READ! We welcome Phillips County on board with the Plant a Seed...READ/ Imagination Library programs. Community interest has enabled us to enroll over 400 children, to date, through the Adopt-a-Reader campaign and business partnerships have increased. In November of 2016, Plant a Seed...READ! was awarded the 2016 Hopa Mountain Citizen Leadership award at the program and individual level. A deep appreciation goes to Voyd St. Pierre, superintendent of Rocky Boy Schools, for recognizing the benefits of the Imagination Library and has enrolled their Early Head Start and Head Start children in 2017.

Our main mission is to enroll 60% of the children in each county by 2020. This is done by partnerships with community members, businesses, and grants. Since grants are not always given yearly, we are working diligently with community members for our sustainability through the Adopt a Reader campaign. We know that for every $1 spent on early childhood there is a return on investment of $7-10 back to the community. Currently, the Dollywood Foundation sends out over 1,000,000 books each month.

We applaud our donors and volunteers for our continued success in increasing the language, literacy and social/emotional growth of our youngest learners in each of our communities. Our success in growth is because of each of you. You recognized the need to read to children from birth on up every day for their continued growth and success throughout their lives.

Thank you to a very special board of directors who have helped children to start their learning in a positive way. In Dolly’s words, “Dream of doing more with your life, learn from everything you see and do, care for everyone and everything that crosses your path, and be more than you ever dreamed you could become.”

A letter from the president Bridget Kallenberger

Although the life of a parent is often hectic, finding the time to read to your child is important. Don't be discouraged if you skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule. Just read to your child as often as you possibly can. Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an important message: Reading is worthwhile.

With your help, as your children begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word, they can grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.

2

Plant a Seed...READ

July 2017

facebook.com/plantaseedread

7

July 2017

appropriate book once a month for one year in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Plant a Seed...READ

facebook.com/plantaseedread

$25 provides a child from birth to age 5 with an age-appropriate book once a month for one year in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Adopt a Reader Sponsorship Card

Board of Directors Executive Board

Directors

Name of Sponsor:_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________________ State:____________ Zip:______________________________________ Phone (h):_____________________________________ Cell:________________________________________________________ Email:______________________________________________________________________________________________________ I would like to sponsor: Child’s Name:__________________________________ Parent’s Name:_________________________________ Phone:____________

I would like to designate by donation: In Memory of:_______________________________ In Honor of:_________________________________ I would like to sponsor number of children ____ x $25.00 = $__________________ Bridget Kallenberger.........................President

Marit Ita

Sandy Wilson............................Vice President

Loretta Widdekind

Vicki Wilkins................................... Treasurer

Denise Haugen

Directors at Large

Bryan Danley..................................................................BNSF Val Frank................................................. Blaine County Library Kelsey James............................................ Blaine County Library Patty Miley

Ashley Martin...................................... Havre-Hill County Library Colleen Brummber...............................................Harlem Library Janeen Brookie........................................ Phillips County Library

Advisors

T Wayne Koepke................................ T Wayne Koepke CPA PC Karen Alley............................................. Public Defender Office

PASR Staff

Lorraine Verploegen....................................... Executive Director

Katie Hulett-Christian Not Pictured

Charlene Lowen

Make checks payable and send to: Plant a Seed...READ! PO Box 782 Havre, MT 59501

8

PLANT A SEED...READ!

Plant a Seed...READ

July 2017

facebook.com/plantaseedread

"Where every child learns to read on the lap of a caring adult."

Plant a Seed Continues to Grow!

From March to December, 2016, Plant a Seed...READ! (PASR) saw its program grow 100% in individual giving and enrollment in the Imagination Library grew 61%. The graduation rate is from 2-6 children per month. We only had 5 children move from our designated area in 2016. This was all due to your support and the board’s work in other areas to increase awareness in the following areas:          

Adopt a Reader program Business Partnerships Grants Addition of Blaine County Fun Events—Breakfast for Literacy and the Shopping Spree Training in the Ready for Kindergarten program Monthly newsletters for parents As of December, 2016: Increase in Facebook visits  212 children were enrolled Design of a new website  163 have graduated since 2010 Spring Capital Campaign  93 children have moved out of the area since 2010

CHECK THIS OUT www.plantaseedreadmt.org

Facebook.com/plantaseedread/

Thank you for your continued support as we promote reading aloud to children from birth on.