Press Release

 
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Campaign to Increase Literacy in East Moline and Silvis Schools
East Moline, IL – May 9, 2017 – The East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club announced a campaign to raise $50,000 to increase literacy of 3rd grade students in their districts. The program, named “Literacy Is Everyone’s Problem”, will purchase iPads to be used in the classrooms. The iPads are a tool to facilitate and promote enhanced literacy proficiency in the East Moline and Silvis school districts.
The East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club was prompted to act based on changing demographics within the school districts. Consider these current statistics for East Moline/Silvis 3rd graders:
  • 1 in 4 student’s primary language is other than English.
  • 28 different primary languages other than English are spoken.
  • Students not speaking English have increased 227% since 2014.
     
    Rotary Club Literacy Chairman Rob’t Greene stated “this program is a collaborative effort between our Rotary Club, our Jr. Rotarians at UTHS, Augustana College EDGE Program and the school districts of East Moline and Silvis.  Our Rotary Club has an aggressive goal to raise $50,000 for the purchase of iPads. We have pledged the first $12,000 and we have 20 iPads already on order. Our club has always embraced literacy with our many ongoing programs but this iPad program is our biggest commitment to date.  When all children in East Moline and Silvis do not learn to read, the effects are immediate, crippling and forever.”
     
    Club President Terry Westbrook added “there are 5 schools being supported by Literacy Is Everyone’s Problem with 380 3rd graders expected in classes this fall. The program will roll out the iPads in phases and student achievement will be assessed through annual testing of the students as they progress through school.”
     
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    For additional information on Literacy Is Everyone’s Problem contact East Moline/Silvis Rotary at eastmoline.silvis.rotary@gmail.com or visit the East