Joining the School District of Philadelphia in celebrating National Family Literacy Day and commending them on "Author's Tea and Reading II" and other efforts geared towards bringing parents and children together within the learning environment.

WHEREAS, During the mid-1980’s, a formal plan for developing family literacy programs was created at the state level. In 1985, Sharon Darling, president and founder of the National Center for Family Literacy, and others in Kentucky began planning the Parent and Child Education (PACE) program to break the cycle of low literacy and poverty prevalent in some areas of the state; and

WHEREAS, With its vision to create and support systems which enable families to become self-sufficient through educational programs for parents and children together, the success of family literacy programs based on The National Center for Family Literacy’s model are making a difference in schools. Teachers and principals report increased parent volunteerism and teacher-parent communication, improved child behavior and attendance, and school –wide support of the program that extends well beyond the program staff; and

WHEREAS, Since 1994 communities across the nation have celebrated National Family Literacy Day in unique and creative ways and the day has evolved into a time in which the impact parents have on their child’s learning and the foundation of the family in education is celebrated; and

WHEREAS, This past summer, the school district’s Even Start Program partnered with Songhai Press Corp. to publish six books that were written and illustrated by approximately 100 children in pre-Kindergarten and elementary school grades assisted by their parents. The project culminated in the young writers reading and signing autographs of their work at “Author’s Tea and Reading” in August; and

WHEREAS, National Literacy Day created the opportunity to both observe this auspicious occasion and to once again highlight the achievements of public school children, parents and educators who were involved in this endeavor; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we join the School District of Philadelphia in celebrating National Family Literacy Day. As a powerful and innovative approach to education, the occasion continues to provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate the success of families and family literacy programs, both locally and nationwide; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The School District of Philadelphia’s Pre-K Headstart Program, further evidencing the commendation and high regards of this legislative body for the program’s efforts to building a more literate future for Philadelphia’s families.

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