UA Center Sends Reading Kits to Black Belt Schools

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, along with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, is promoting the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day by providing Dr. Seuss-themed reading kits to 21 schools in seven counties in the Black Belt region.

Read Across America Day is an annual motivation and awareness program that celebrates reading. The day will be celebrated Thursday, March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

Reading kits, composed of classic Dr. Seuss books, stickers, bookmarks and pencils, have been delivered to 21 schools in the region. The Center for Economic Development and ACES are providing the reading kits as part of the UACED’s12th annual Books for the Alabama Black Belt campaign. The goal of the Books for the Alabama Black Belt campaign is to provide one book for every child in the Black Belt. There are more than 42,000 children in the 13 counties of the Black Belt.

“Motivating children to read is an important factor in creating lifelong successful readers and student achievement, which will lead to better opportunities later in life,” said Nisa Miranda, director of UACED. “Providing books so Black Belt schools can participate in Read Across America Day is one way UACED and ACES help people and communities improve their quality of life and economic well-being.”

Schools and counties in which reading kits were delivered:

Greene County:

Eutaw Primary School.

Robert Brown Middle School.

Sumter County:

Livingston Junior High.

North Sumter Junior High School.

Kinterbish Junior High School.

York West End Junior High School.

Pickens County:

Gordo Elementary School.

Reform Elementary School.

Aliceville Elementary School.

Marengo County:

Sweetwater High School.

Marengo High School.

Westside Elementary School.

U.S. Jones Elementary School.

Linden Elementary School.

Perry County:

Robert C. Hatch K-12.

Francis Marion K-12.

Hale County:

Moundville Elementary School.

Greensboro Elementary School.

Wilcox County:

F.S. Ervin Elementary School.

J.E. Hobbs Elementary School.

ABC Elementary School.

The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development

Founded in 1987, The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development serves as a gateway to technical assistance resources at The University of Alabama. By using professional staff and customized project teams, the center assists communities, agencies and organizations to take an “asset based” planning approach to economic development opportunities. One of the center’s goals is to address economic development needs of rural and urban communities throughout Alabama. The UA center is part of the University’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development.