LOWELL, Mass.–On Reading Across America Day, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, in partnership with On The Move, Inc. (OTM) and UMass Lowell, launched
“Reading with Rowdy,” a program that encourages reading and literacy.
Local Division 1 head coaches, politicians, business leaders, and other members of the community have come together to share some of their favorite books in a series of videos with Rowdy the Riverhawk for the children of Lowell.
“The goal of the collaboration is to help students achieve reading proficiency by the time they complete the third grade,” the credit union said. “This benchmark is a critical predictor of their future success both personally and in their careers.”
To help foster children’s love of reading and to help build home libraries, OTM has purchased over 3,000 books to go along with the stories. The students of the Abraham Lincoln and the S. Christa McAuliffe schools, and the Cardinal O'Connelle Early Learning Center in Lowell will each receive an age and reading level appropriate copy of one of the featured books.
The first six books in the series are:
- Flat Stanley on Ice, read by Mark Cochran, president/CEO of Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union
- There was a Cold Woman Who Swallowed Some Snow, read by Rita Mercier, Lowell City Council
- Unbeatable Betty, shared by Ruben Sanca, UMass Lowell & Olympic Runner
- Bad Kitty Does Not Like Snow, read by Tom Golden, Massachusetts House Representative
- Dancing Hands read by Shannon LeBlanc, UMass Lowell Field Hockey coach
- Pete the Cat Construction Destruction, read by Tom Garrick, UMass Lowell Women’s Basketball Head Coach.
“Literacy is such an important factor in a child’s life. Not only did we want to do something to help the kids in our community, we wanted to make it fun,” said Cochran.