The $40,000 grant provides access to books and resources to ensure children enter kindergarten prepared to succeed
Grace and Evelyn Casper enjoy reading at Middle Township Elementary School #1 Preschool. Middle Township Public Schools received a grant that will support an ongoing early literacy program.
Cape May Court House, N.J. – Middle Township Public Schools was recently awarded the Literacy Initiative for Families and Thriving Communities (LIFT) Grant, a competitive state grant designed to strengthen early literacy development and expand access to resources for families with young children.
The $40,000 grant will support the district’s ongoing initiative, “Literacy Where Families Are.” This effort focuses on literacy support for families with children from birth to age 3 by connecting with families in familiar local settings such as pediatric offices, local businesses and community events.
The district’s early literacy initiative is designed to build strong foundational skills that contribute to school readiness and long-term academic success.
“This grant allows us to meet families where they are and support early literacy development before children even enter school,” said Dr. Toni Lehman, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at MTPS. “By providing resources and guidance directly to caregivers, we are strengthening the foundation for lifelong learning and helping ensure that every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed.”
Baylee Phillips and Gracelynn Camburn enjoy reading at Middle Township Elementary School #1 Preschool.
The grant will be used to supply families with age-appropriate books, literacy kits and practical strategies to support early language and reading development at home. The grant also will help incorporate high school students as Literacy Ambassadors, providing them with opportunities to participate in community outreach efforts while developing leadership and service skills.
Lehman also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the grant, recognizing the team at Elementary #1 – Pam McCabe, Emily Lattimore, Katie Taylor and Sara Huang – as integral leaders in advancing early literacy work across the district.
“The program will begin during the upcoming school year, and we look forward to building stronger connections with families and community partners while supporting the youngest learners in Middle Township,” said Lehman.