Published on The Recorder website on 3/10/2021 by Max Marcus TURNERS FALLS — Francia Wisnewski, a resident of Turners Falls, was named among four Western Massachusetts educators recognized this year for their support of early childhood literacy. The yearly Literacy Champion award recognizes leaders in Springfield’s education community who have made special efforts to support early childhood literacy. It is given by Reading Success by Fourth Grade, an organization that aims to help all students in Springfield gain fundamental reading skills by the end of third grade. As one of four awardees, Wisnewski was recognized specifically as the director of the National Early Educator Training Center, a facility in Hadley run by the Service Employees International Union. The three other awardees were Kevin Green, the founder and CEO of an organization called Seeds of a Father; Joan Kagan, the retired president and CEO of Square One; and Mary Walachy, the retired executive director of the Irene E. and George Davis Foundation. Wisnewski brings years of experience to her work. Before starting her position at the National Early Educator Training Center this January, she had worked for eight years as an associate director of programs at Raising a Reader Massachusetts, an organization in Springfield that provides books and teaching resources to help parents read with their children. She served on the Greenfield School Committee from 2012 to 2016, and was involved in the hiring of former Superintendent Jordana Harper. Wisnewski also holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In her acceptance speech for the award last week, Wisnewski spoke about her experience growing up in Colombia, where she said the entire village seemed to support her learning. She recalled her family putting world news on the radio, her grandparents telling stories about their childhood and teachers reading from the popular children’s books of the day. “This village reminds me of this beloved Springfield community and its generosity,” Wisnewski said. “This village has ensured that, as a field, we go beyond to make reading fun, and to show that early literacy is the key that will open many doors in a bright future.” Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.  Read the article on The Recorder website here .

By The Republican Editorials March 2, 2021 One in four children grow up without learning how to read, and 65% of America’s fourth- grade students do not read at a proficient level, according to the Literacy Project Foundation. The foundation also finds that 61% of low-income families have no books in their homes for children. As we spend today acknowledging Read Across America Day – the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the pen name of Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel – acknowledging and acting on the importance of getting an early start is key to success down the road. Organizations such as Springfield’s “Reading Success by 4th Grade” have the critical mission of fostering early literacy skills to ensure kids learn the foundational skills leading to graduation. This reading proficiency initiative is made up of early childhood educators, businesses, legislators and community organizations, the Springfield Public Schools as well as medical and behavioral health providers. Launched in 2009, the program is an initiative of the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation and exemplifies the collaborative spirit that is necessary within the community to make a difference in reaching literacy gains. In an interview after its first Early Literacy Summit in 2019, program manager Chrissy Howard said, “What we did was bring folks together from across the city and the state to maintain momentum and keep a sense of urgency around early literacy issues. We had a lot come out of that summit in terms of thinking strategically, but also thinking broadly about literacy in the city.” According to researchers, 80% of a child’s brain is formed during their first three years. And engaging children by reading with them can increase language development and assist in cognitive development. Reading aloud to a child has real benefits, and the books of Dr. Seuss are well-suited for this exercise. Reading Across America is a valuable reminder on the importance of a strong focus on reading at an early age and programs such as Reading Success by 4th Grade offers the community support and commitment that will drive action. Add the prose and talent of Dr. Suess and you have a formula providing students, teachers and parents with the tools they need to drive a positive change in reading proficiency. Today, and every day, we should recognize the importance of literacy in our lives. So pick up a book and read to your child, keep books around the house, and make reading a powerful, consistent practice. This editorial also appeared in the March 2, 2021 edition of The Republican. Read the article on MassLive here .

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Reading Success by 4th Grade (RS4G) has distributed more than 3,000 books to local families since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast book distribution was made possible through a collaborative effort between Reading Success by 4th Grade, New England Public Media, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and Raising a Reader of Massachusetts. RS4G gave out books, puppets, coloring books, and art activities to numerous community organizations directly serving families with young children, first concentrating on infants, toddlers, and young children not yet enrolled in school or center care; then to outreach services like home visiting, parenting, and transitional programs. Later, the focus shifted to partner organizations that could distribute to children they are serving. RS4G also distributed books to the 12 essential family child cares that remained open during the height of the pandemic (March to June) and served children of essential employees. Organizations that received books from Reading Success by 4th Grade include: Horizons for Homeless Children; Square One Center and Child Care; Springfield Diaper Bank; Springfield North WIC Breastfeeding Support Group; Head Start Pre-K and Migrant Programs; Educare Springfield; YMCA of Greater Springfield; Boys & Girls Club Family Center; Springfield Boys & Girls Club; South End Community Center; Springfield Partners for Community Action Early Learning Center; Clarendon Early Education; and the 12 essential family child cares in Springfield. According to Chrissy Howard, Manager of Reading Success by 4th Grade, “All of our kids have less physical access to books in schools and in-person libraries (though curbside pickup is happening). Kids need learning resources at home and RS4G is stepping up. I know my kids have already read the same books over and over. It is so important that kids have their own books and home libraries at all times, but especially now that we are all home so much.” Earlier this summer, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading announced that Springfield was recognized as one of just 21 communities nationwide to be recognized with national Pacesetter Honors for supporting early school success in 2019, with exemplary work in Big Tent Collaboration and Messaging and Communications. Springfield was also named a Pacesetter finalist for School Readiness.

By Chrissy Howard, Manager of Reading Success by 4th Grade, Jennifer Teehan-Sanford, Project Manager of Home City Families, and Jenny Powers, Family Engagement Coordinator at the Springfield Museums