The elementary school was awarded nearly $4,000 in funds to support new literacy technology and books
Students reading in the Elementary #2 library
Cape May Court House, NJ – Middle Township Elementary #2 (MTE#2) was awarded $3,700 by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) to be used toward reading initiatives for at-risk students. With the funds, students will have access to new books and technology.
“Not only do we want our students to have the skills to excel in reading, but we also want them to develop a love for reading,” said Julie Moore, MTE#2 librarian. “All of our students will benefit from this grant, but it will especially impact our at-risk students by helping them develop the skills and confidence to overcome challenges they face and create opportunities for success.”
The Youth Literacy grant will fund books and technology that will be used by students during the Panther Block, a time during the school day for students to get extra help from their teachers or take an elective class of their interest. Moore will be working with selected students in fourth and fifth grades during Panther Block to run book clubs. Funds will also supply technology to help students create video book reviews to share with other classes, as well as highlight some of their favorite readings.
“Reading is a gateway to opportunity, especially for our at-risk youth,” said Middle Township Public Schools superintendent Dr. David Salvo. “Reading equips students with the skills to think critically, challenging them to make decisions and empowering them to make the right ones. Fostering a love for reading not only improves academic outcomes, but it gives students an outlet for personal growth.”
Moore applied for the Youth Literacy grant during the spring of the 2023-2024 school year. This local grant is a part of more than $4 million recently awarded to nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools in Dollar General’s hometown communities across the country to help extend a brighter future for K-12 students. The nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools with students that are below grade level or have trouble reading are eligible to apply. Over 700 groups were selected for this round.
“We understand investing in youth literacy means investing in the future of students and our collective communities,” said Executive Director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation Denine Torr. “Through these grants, we hope to enhance the programs’ efforts to foster students’ critical thinking skills, creativity and confidence so they can unlock their potential and achieve their dreams.”
The DGLF supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, the foundation awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs. The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam. Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.