GSCK Cycle Run Walk Challenge for LITERACY

Studies show if children are not reading on level by third grade, there is a higher chance they will fall victim to the criminal justice system. Protect our kids by providing a great start to their education. Dust off your shoes, bikes, or whatever you have, and let’s get going to promote literacy early.

Our goal is 1,000 miles for 1,000 books to area students to celebrate our 10th year of service to South Cobb schools. Proceeds will be used for our Ferst Readers monthly subscriptions of books to area families and to sponsor our Terrific Kids in-school reading programs. Sign up for the challenge with your favorite Kiwanian or donate and ask the member to cycle, run, or walk equal to the amount you donate to him or her.

Remember to track your efforts with a Fitbit, Garmin, Strava, or another device. All activities count, as long as you can track them in miles. Post the challenge to the member's social media page or your activity to your Facebook or Instagram; then tag @gsckiwanis and the member. We will be watching expectantly!!

Be sure to join us for the KICKOFF RALLY on June 1, 2024, at Comet Cycle Trail, 4342 Floyd Road, Mableton, GA 30126. #kidsneedkiwanis #letsgetgoing #KiwanisNeedsYou #GSCKcyclerunwalkforLITERACY

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE

The threat to literacy is at an all-time high! The Education Trust released this report:

Frederick Douglass said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” This was true in the 19th century our time's major civil rights issues when he was decrying the notion that enslaved people lacked the intellectual capacity to function as American citizens, and that statement still carries weight today. There is currently a literacy crisis happening in the U.S., one that disproportionately affects students of color, and that cannot be ignored. Literacy is one of our time's major civil rights issues, and our children’s future — and our nation’s democracy — depends on us addressing it now.

There is overwhelming evidence that nearly all children can learn to read. But in schools across the country, many students — especially students of color, students from low-incoe backgrounds, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities — are not yet skillful readers. Last year, the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), “the nation’s report card,” showed that not even half (43%) of fourth graders in the U.S. scored at or above a proficient level in reading. And for marginalized students, the numbers are much worse: just 17% of Black students, 21% of Latino students, 11% of students with disabilities and 10% of multilingual learners can read proficiently by fourth grade.