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OWL Fest: Building Home Libraries Together

Curated Bookstore and Reading Event

In a bid to enhance early literacy and build home libraries, the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) joins hands with the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) to introduce Opportunities with Literacy (OWL) Fest. This unique event, set to travel to 31 Priority elementary schools across Tennessee in September, offers a curated bookstore and shopping experience for students. OWL Fest allows students to select high-quality books to take home, free of charge, with the aim of boosting reading proficiency and fostering a culture of reading.   A Lifeline for Literacy in Tennessee Tennessee faces a literacy challenge, with only 40% of its 3rd graders reading proficiently. Priority schools, in particular, grapple with reading proficiency rates ranging from 22-38%. Recognizing the profound impact of home libraries on academic success, vocabulary development, and career attainment, GELF's OWL Fest aims to bridge this gap by providing students with the opportunity to bring books into their homes.   Student-Centric Book Selection Research from the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™ underscores the importance of students selecting their books. A staggering 92% of children report that their favorite books are the ones they've chosen themselves, and 93% are more likely to complete a book they've personally selected. OWL Fest embraces this approach, allowing Pre-K through 5th-grade students to choose 6-8 books that resonate with their interests and preferences.   Building Home Libraries Year-Round OWL Fest is part of GELF's K-3 Home Library program, designed to bolster home libraries and combat learning loss by delivering books to students and teachers each summer. In 2023 alone, the program distributed a remarkable 1.2 million books to over 200,000 students, teachers, librarians, and media specialists across the state, including Priority schools.   Shaping a Literate Future James Pond, a spokesperson for GELF, shares the organization's vision: "Our goal is to promote a culture of reading in Tennessee by meeting students where they are with the books and resources they need to become lifelong learners. Through OWL Fest, we are bringing a book shopping experience, without the cost barrier, to students who may not have this kind of opportunity." "We want to give students the freedom to choose their books, call them their own, and get excited about reading. It's more than books. It's the future of Tennessee."   Empowering Tennessee's Young Readers Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education, emphasizes the significance of reading proficiency: "Teaching children how to read, and how to read well, is one of the most important things we can do to set them up for success in their education, in college and career, and in life. Thanks to our partners at GELF, students across the state have access to free books through OWL Fest to help them become strong readers."   Scholastic's Commitment to Literacy Amanda Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic, expresses the company's pride in supporting GELF's mission: "Scholastic is proud to continue the critical work with GELF to ensure children have access to books that they are excited about reading this school year and beyond."   School District Leaders Praise OWL Fest To develop effective support for Priority schools, GELF actively sought input and feedback from school district leaders who understand the vital importance of literacy. Dr. Thomas Rogers, Assistant Superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, says, "Literacy is life and the bedrock to all other subjects. OWL Fest has helped us to align and recommit ourselves to early and ongoing literacy for all students, regardless of the zip code." Dr. Terrence D. Brittenum, iZone Instructional Leadership Director (ILD) - Zone 10 of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, adds, "OWL Fest has facilitated our schools in prioritizing literacy by providing the resources to do so. Through the OWL Fest initiative, we will continue to support our schools by increasing students' access to grade-appropriate texts and evidence-based literacy instruction."   Prioritizing Priority Schools OWL Fest receives support from federal funding aimed at promoting literacy in Priority schools designated by TDOE for the 2021-2022 school year. Priority schools, also known as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools, represent the lowest-performing five percent of schools in the state due to sustained low academic performance. Below is a list of participating Priority schools that OWL Fest will visit in September: Achievement School District - Memphis Scholars Caldwell-Guthrie - Cornerstone Prep Lester Campus - Journey Coleman School Hamilton County School District - Orchard Knob Elementary - Hardy Elementary School - Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy - Hamilton County Virtual School Jackson-Madison County School District - Jackson Career Technology Magnet - Lincoln Elementary School Knox County School District - Green Magnet Math And Science Academy - Maynard Elementary Metro-Nashville School District - Bellshire Elementary - Ida B. Wells Elementary - Tom Joy Elementary - Jones Elementary Memphis-Shelby County School District - Cummings Elementary/Middle - Hamilton School - Memphis Delta Prep - Freedom Prep - Westwood - Geeter School - Riverview Elementary/Middle - Arrow Academy of Excellence - Alcy Elementary - Larose Elementary - Frayser-Corning Elementary - Georgian Hills Elementary School - Whitney Elementary School - Granville T. Woods Academy of Innovation - Memphis Scholars South Campus - Hanley Elementary  

Aiming to Make a Difference, One Book at a Time

OWL Fest underscores the commitment of GELF and TDOE to enhance literacy outcomes in Priority schools, offering students access to the transformative power of books, one page at a time.   Sources: THX News & Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation. Read the full article