Sharing the invaluable gift of literacy locally and beyond in honor of National Reading Month. Ursuline Academy Lower School first grade classes host book drive to benefit two amazing non-profit local organizations – St. Michael’s School and Success Won’t Wait. These 22 6-7 year old students began their book drive March 1st and together with the lower, middle, high schools and many volunteers have enthusiastically collected more than 1,249 books! With just days left to reach their goal of 1,500 books by March 23rd, these Ursuline Academy students are reaching for the stars to get the word out about their current serviam project. Donations graciously accepted of gently used and new books, any age – toddler thru adult.

Photo credit to Josephine Mangano – Catching the Excitement!

Serviam

The motto of all Ursuline schools is Serviam, Latin for “I will serve,” which has been celebrated at Ursuline in Wilmington for more than 120 years. Students at all grade levels help carry on the long legacy of community service that has made us an integral piece of Wilmington’s landscape and has helped our students and graduates live in the spirit of St. Angela Merici.

By experiencing firsthand the positive effects of giving selflessly in service to others and seeing the smile of someone who was in need, Serviam becomes part of the social and spiritual fabric of every Ursuline student. Our teachers convey lessons and stories of service in our classrooms, and Serviam gives our students the opportunity to embody this integral Christian value in everyday settings and at special events. As our students help children in a community program, serve food at a local shelter, or build a home for a family in need, they develop an appreciation for their role in God’s community and experience the ultimate benefit of giving without taking – true happiness. The importance of living Serviam stays with each of our students long after they leave our buildings and translates into a lifetime of community service and volunteerism to the benefit of countless people in need. Visit www.ursuline.org

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.”  NEA’s Read Across America

March is National ReadingMonth!

Giving children the tools early can foster a lifelong love of reading.

President Obama Signs Proclamation: Read Across America Day, 2016

“From a child’s first foray into the depths of a story to an adult’s escape into a world of words, reading plays an integral role in our lives.” — President Barack Obama read the entire Proclamation here 

Inspiring Students to Read

• Promoting Reading for All Children
• Raising a Reader
• Tips for Reading Aloud
• Reading to Young, School-Age Children
• Tips for Reading to Infants and Toddlers
• Get Ready for Summer Reading
• Six Ways to Use Summer Reading to Prevent Summer Slide

1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to read

Spring into Cleaning!

Donate to the Book Drive Today!

If you have gently used or new books to donate and are eager to support these students in serviam,  please contact us at [email protected]. Pay It Forward!

GOOD LUCK UA!

About St. Michael’s School

Celebrating 125 Years

Founded in 1890, St. Michael’s is the oldest early childhood program in Delaware and one of the oldest in the US – 125 years old. In our early years, we offered shelter, safety and comfort to disadvantaged children whose working parents had limited choices for childcare. Often, they left their little ones to fend for themselves in vacant lots near Wilmington’s riverfront tanneries.  St. Michael’s is located in Delaware’s 2nd highest concentration of children in poverty and over 30% of our children live in this neighborhood. Nearly 70% of our families are poverty or low income households. St. Michael’s has a strong family partnership. Families pay what they can and St.Michael’s subsidizes the rest. Visit www.stmichaelsde.org

About Success Won’t Wait

Sharing the gift of literacy since 2002

Success Won’t Wait, Inc. is a not for profit literacy program based in Wilmington, Delaware. The organization’s mission is to encourage reading, particularly by children, and services Delaware and the surrounding states. There are 3 major project areas of focus – 1) Children’s Book Baskets – baskest are filled with 30-50 children’s books and are placed in waiting roms and lobbies where childen frequently wait – like doctors offices, auto dealers, hair salons, dance studios, etc. 2) Creating “Independent Libraries”  – each library contains 1,000+ books and are specially choses to reflec the needs of the population in both temporary and day-only settings – like the The Bayard House, Telegraph Road Learning Center, and Delaware Adolescent Program, Exceptional Care and PAL Center in New Castle. 3) Special Projects – large book donations 1000+ books are culled from their collection for various organizations like the US Troops stationed over seas, Gander Hill, Baylor Women’s Prisons, Delaware Foster Grandparents Program and Kent County’s P.E.A.K. Program. Visit www.successwontwait.org