Southeastern Louisiana University

Jumpstart invites readers to "Read for the Record" Aug. 24

Contact: Christina Chapple

8/22/06

CAPTION …
READ FOR THE RECORD -- Jumpstart Hammond Site Manager Shawanda Benton reads “The Little Engine That Could” to, from left, Courtney Easley, and Qimone and Micqi Thrasher. Jumpstart Hammond has invited area readers to join in a national early literacy campaign by registering to read the children’s classic on August 24.
 

     HAMMOND – Jumpstart Hammond is inviting readers of all ages to join in "Read for the Record," a national campaign to engage tens of thousands of adults and children in setting the world record for the largest ever shared reading experience.

     Jumpstart Hammond, located at Southeastern Louisiana University, is encouraging readers to sign up at www.readfortherecord.org to read the campaign's official book, the children's classic “The Little Engine That Could,” on Thursday, August 24.

     Locally, parents and children are invited to a reading at the Hammond Library at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, said Jumpstart Hammond Site Manager Shawanda Benton. The book will also be read at the Southeastern Lab School and members of Southeastern's Delta Sigma Theta sorority will share the story with children at several Hammond day care centers, Kadlyn's Learning Academy, Kids Are Us, and Play 'n Stay.

     Copies of the book are available for sale at Starbucks outlets.

     “Read Across the Record highlights a national early literacy campaign that will involve more than 300 public events and more than 100,000 adults and children registered to read ‘The Little Engine That Could,’” said Jumpstart Hammond founder and faculty advisor Cynthia Elliott, associate professor in Southeastern’s Department of Teaching and Learning.

     "To become part of this historic event, we invite you to call our Jumpstart Hammond office at 985-549-5158 or log on to www.jstart.org," Elliott said.

     Jumpstart Hammond is an AmeriCorps program that recruits college students to mentor 3-5 year old children. Through the program, established at Southeastern in 2001, college students can earn a $1,000 education award after performing 300 service hours. Jumpstart corps members who quality for federal work study can also earn an hourly wage.

     Corps members work 10-12 hours a week in local early childhood and Head Start Centers, including Southeastern Head Start, paired one-on-one with a young child. They read stories, sing songs and play games that support young children’s school readiness.

     Corps members are being recruited now. To apply, visit www.jstart.org/joinus, or contact Benton at 985-549-5158, or Elliott at celliott@selu.edu.