To all Stakeholders in the CDA School District:

Our district is sponsoring a HOLIDAY BOOK DRIVE to collect gently used or new children's books appropriate for Kindergartners and kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3. It's called 'JINGLE BOOKS' and our goal is to help promote literacy in our little ones by providing each of our K-3 students in the CDA School District (approximately 3,000 children) with at least one free book of their own choosing before Christmas vacation. There is a donation station already set up in each of our schools and the drive runs through December 11th. Anything you can do to help out will be greatly appreciated.

If you would be so kind as to look through your garage, basement, attic, barn, or wherever you might store something such as old books, particularly children's books, locate them, and turn them in to your neighborhood school, this would be a great start. You can always ask your friends, relatives and neighbors to do the same and, of course, spreading word of this worthwhile community effort on your social media would likely be a big help. If you'd care to donate money to purchase books, you can submit it to the District 271 central office before December 11th. Donations are tax-deductible and checks should have 'Jingle Books' written in the memo.

A few things to consider: 44% of the children in our school district live in poverty. Recent nationwide studies have shown that among such children, especially K-3 kids, a high percentage do not have a reading book at home to call their own. Not surprisingly, many of these children struggle to read proficiently by the end of third grade, a critical turning point in a child's education.

Let's work together to make a difference, however small it might seem to some. Let's give the gift of improving literacy this holiday season. To be sure, 3,000 is one heck of a lot of reading books to collect, but with determination and the spirit of Christmas within each of us, it can be done.

Thanks,

Dave