More than 2,500 students across Arizona, including in Phoenix, Prescott Valley and Tucson, received free books through school book fairs, giving them a head start on summer reading.
Each student received three books, and schools also received 300 books to use based on their needs, from supporting library collections to helping offset out-of-pocket costs for new teachers building classroom libraries.
Schools were selected based on community need, including limited access to books and learning resources.
Research from Reading is Fundamental shows that 80% of students in underserved communities lose reading skills over the summer due to limited access to books and learning resources outside of school.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona collaborated with schools to fund and staff the fairs, with more than 50 employee volunteers helping students select books and pack them to take home.
Cesar E. Chavez Community School, which serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade, was one of five schools statewide reached through the program. Other participating schools included Anna Lawrence Intermediate School in Phoenix, Pueblo del Sol Elementary School and Holladay Fine Arts Magnet Elementary School in Tucson, and Mountain View Elementary School in Prescott Valley, helping expand access to books for students across multiple Arizona communities.
“Collaborations like this help ensure students have access to books they might not otherwise have and sharpen their reading skills all year long,” said Christina Chavez, Cesar Chavez Community School, Roosevelt School District, Phoenix.
By bringing the book fairs directly into schools where students spend much of their time, the fairs help remove barriers for families who may have limited time, transportation or ability to purchase books.
“We love supporting book fairs as they put books directly into the hands of students to help support a love of lifelong reading,” said Jean Kalbacher, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona. “Supporting schools in a simple way like this helps ensure students have access to tools that support learning and development every day.”
Beyond book fairs, summer reading programs at Arizona’s public libraries help families access books and reading resources when schools are closed.
Shanna Wolfe | Reister
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