Literacy grant awarded to SAD 6

On June 19, the Barbara Bush Foundation 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.

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 initiative 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.

Standish Family Festival

The Family Festival starts this Friday night, June 29 with Friday Night at the Movies starting at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Field. The Snack Shack will open to sell food and folks can bring their own snacks if desired. A short movie will be shown at 8 p.m. for the younger set, and the feature film starts at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30 is the parade at 10 a.m. Bring chairs and come with family and friends to cheer your town on.

Kiwanis Beach is the site for all other activities and opens at 3 p.m. with free admission all day. There will be a chicken barbecue, and fireworks start at dark. Much effort has been put into planning two days of activities for the enjoyment of all.

Please come out and participate and you and your families will have a great opportunity to mix with family, friends and neighbors. Plan to spend some time talking with someone who you never spoke to before. That could be your new best friend. Enjoy the festivities.

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