November 2023 Newsletter

Every day is an opportunity to close the huge gaps for these students so they can live productive and fulfilling lives. 85% of juveniles who interact with the juvenile justice system are low literate. We have a lot of work to do. 

That’s why Reading Allowed is working feverishly to support every struggling student who needs our support. We are currently impacting more than 325 students across the Philadelphia area and we are inundated with calls from students who need our support. The calls aren’t going to stop.

And yet, we are a bandaid on a much larger disease. Until we know that every student, every day, is getting the highest quality literacy instruction in every classroom, we can’t rest. If we’re going to get this right, we need all of us to make sure our voices are heard.

That’s why we were thrilled that Laura Boyce of Teach Plus Pennsylvania was able to help us make sense of the Education Funding and Science of Reading legislation in Pennsylvania. It’s going to take a long time but if we do get it right, every Pennsylvania citizen will benefit as illiteracy doesn’t just affect the individual it affects everyone in our democratic society.

Thank you for your continued support!

Angela Marks

Thanks to Laura Boyce, Executive Director of Teach Plus Pennsylvania, and her expertise, we had a wonderful webinar –  Understanding Education Funding and Science of Reading Legislation in Pennsylvania. If you missed it and would like to view the recording, please contact us at info@readingallowed.org so that we can share it with you.

Here are some helpful resources from the event and ways you can make a difference:

• Sign up for the Teach Plus PA newsletter! And, for current, former, or prospective teachers, join the Teach Plus PA Teacher Network.

• Urge your representatives in Harrisburg to ensure all kids can read! Complete this form from Teach Plus Pennsylvania to ask your legislators to support the Literacy Achievement for All Pennsylvanians bill, which will improve early literacy opportunities and outcomes for all Pennsylvania students.

• Click below to reveal our curated list of resources. This document includes information for both families and educators, including links to other literacy-focused organizations, information about the Science of Reading and advocating for your student, and links to podcasts.

Your contribution this #GivingTuesday will have an incredible impact on our work at Reading Allowed.

Reading Allowed vows to advocate for students of all ages. We rely on your support to host educational webinars, offer scholarship programming for educators seeking structured literacy instruction certification, and, most importantly, provide high-intensity structured literacy support to students of all ages, regardless of financial circumstances.

• Be a Reading Allowed ambassador by hosting a small event with your friends/network
• Join us for a site visit at one of our partner schools and see our work in action
• Connect us with corporations that match donations, or with service providers that might consider pro bono work
• Sponsor one of our events
• Share your skills and talents to further our mission
• Partner with another family to sponsor a student
• Make a donation in honor of a loved one

Help Project Storyboard grow strong readers and participate in a super fun photo and video shoot for families with children ages four to six.

Saturday, November 11

4329 Larchwood Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Sign up for one 90-minute shoot:

• Shoot 1: 11 AM – 12:30 PM
• Shoot 2: 12:30 PM – 2 PM

(WITH CHILDREN AGES 4-6)

It’s easy for you and your child to get ready for the shoot. We will show you how. Families will be provided with lunch and a goody bag with a book. There will also be playful learning activities.

All participating families will be eligible to win a $100 Amazon gift card during monthly drawings.

If interested, please contact roman@themightyengine.com (609-947-7228) as soon as possible.

Reading Allowed Executive Director and Founder, Angela Marks, and Chief Operating Officer, Kara Fisher were inspired by the incredible people they met at the International Dyslexia Conference in Columbus, Ohio, PA Dyslexia Day in Harrisburg, as well as other incredible events.

Angela caught up with Barbara Wilson, President and Co-Founder of Wilson Language Training®, Edward Wilson, Co-Founder and Publisher of Wilson Language Training®, and Lori Severino, Director of Wilson® Partnerships at Drexel University, and Co-Founder of LiteracyACE, and a retired assistant professor of special education at Drexel University.

Angela and Kara were also excited to collaborate with RA tutor, Sheri Weiland.

Angela and Kara with Susan Marschner at the IDA Conference.

Angela traveled to Harrisburg for PA Dyslexia Awareness Day and met up with Pam Kastner of PaTTan, Dawn Brookhart of AIM Institute, and Kelly Volpe, as well as others passionate about literacy.

Angela attended the Satell Institute Conference to hear from John Fry, President of Drexel University, and Michal Smith, CEO of Cradles to Crayons.

Reading Allowed recently received a two-year grant from the United Way Partnership Grant Program!

As autumn leaves blanket the ground and the air turns crisp, we embark on a journey of gratitude through the pages of heartwarming stories. This month, we’ve curated a selection of books that capture the spirit of the season and celebrate thankfulness. Join us as we explore these delightful stories that resonate with the magic of November.