Literacy Grant Awarded to SAD 6
Former First Lady Barbara Bush announced June 19 that the Barbara Bush Foundation has awarded $25,000 to the Family Literacy Program Initiative to SAD 6, as well as 14 other communities.
Representatives from each community were present to accept these awards from Mrs. Bush and Maine’s First Lady Karen Baldacci, at an award ceremony at the J. Richard Martin Community Center in Biddeford. Family Literacy Initiative money supports programs that improve the reading skills of parents and their children, while developing solid literacy practices in the home.
“I’m so proud of the students and teachers who have participated in our Maine Family Literacy Initiative.” said Mrs. Bush, Honorary Chairperson of the Foundation. “They have accomplished so much over the past 12 years. We know that thousands of parents and children are now able to share the pleasure as well as the benefits of reading as a result of their hard work in the 166 family literacy programs funded by the Maine Family Literacy Initiative so far.”
“Reading holds the key to success in life,” said Maine’s First Lady Karen Baldacci. “Barbara Bush has devoted many years of work to promote and increase family literacy. I would like to thank and honor her on behalf of the people of the state of Maine for her dedication to such a worthy cause.”
There were eight winning grants of approximately $25,000 chosen this year from applications submitted by libraries, community-based organizations, colleges, adult education, and public schools across the state to implement family literacy programs. These programs provide family literacy services that include adult literacy instructions, early childhood literacy instruction, and parent and child time for reading together.
Seven additional planning grants of $5,000 each were also awarded to communities to develop the partnerships and resources needed to implement programs for next year. SAD 6 was a recipient of this grant last year. These planning grants have proven to be an effective way to bring agencies together to begin talking about family literacy and identifying existing resources that could be used to support family literacy programming in their community.
The Maine Family Literacy Initiative has awarded 166 grants totaling $2,787,855 in its 12-year history to develop or expand Maine family literacy programs. The Barbara Bush Foundation also funds family literacy initiatives in Texas, Florida, and Maryland.
The SAD 6 Read to Succeed is a program promoting family literacy at home and at school. This project will bring together community partners, including Adult Education, Guidance, Title One, Literacy Volunteers, Steep Falls Public Library, the Training Resource Center, and Buxton’s Social Welfare Department to improve literacy skills of families in the district.
Schoolhouse Arts Center
The musical “Guys and Dolls” is being presented at Schoolhouse Art Center in Sebago Lake July 5 to 22. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with additional performances presented on July 11 and July 18 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday’s shows will be at 5 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Call for reservations at 642-3743.
Marrett House
Tours are being offered at the Marrett House in Standish on the first and third Saturday of the month. The garden is opened daily. Call 642-3032 for more information.
Steep Falls Public Library
Hours for the library are Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. Story hours for toddler/preschool age children Wednesday 10 a.m. For more information call 675-3132 or www.steepfallslibrary.org.
Standish Historical Society
There is a schedule of monthly programs for summer and fall. For more information call 642-4567/642-3216. New members are always welcome.
The Old Red Church
The Old Red Church, located at 55 Oak Hill Road in Standish, is open for the summer on Monday and Thursday 1-4 p.m. through September. A museum is located on the second floor and maintained by Standish Historical Society. Special arrangements are possible. For more information, call 642-5170.
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