Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Books for Classrooms
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1432 S. San Luis
City: Green Valley
State: Arizona
Postal Code: 85614
Main Phone: 5206644841
Main Fax: NA
Organization Website: booksforclassrooms.org
Employer ID Number: 84-2102053
Organization Tax Status: 501 (C) (3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/08/2024
Requested Amount: $8,000

Project Title: Improve Literacy Scores at Sunnyside Middle Schools
Project Description:

Established in 2019, Books for Classrooms is an all-volunteer organization working out of our homes. Our mission: to improve literacy of children from pre-school through 12th grade by providing FREE, high-quality, relevant, age-appropriate, educator-evaluated books that encourage an understanding of diversity, peace, social justice, conflict resolution, and the environment. Primary beneficiaries are low-income children in Pima County, Arizona Title 1 district public schools.

All funds will be used to purchase books for libraries and some classrooms at four Sunnyside School District middle schools in Tucson, Arizona. District Superintendent, José Gastellum, fully supports us.

No significant funding has been available for over a decade to restock these school libraries. This is a component of an overall upgrade and diversification of supplementary reading book collections in district classrooms and libraries begun in 2021.

The four middle schools: Apollo, Challenger, Gallego, Lauffer in Tucson, Arizona; 89.74% Hispanic. 2023 ELA Test Data: Apollo–536 students, 61% minimally proficient; Challenger–655 students, 66% minimally proficient; Gallego–839 students, 43% minimally proficient; Lauffer–428 students, 58% minimally proficient. (azreportcards.azed.gov)

The Importance of Diverse Books:
At Books for Classrooms, we recognize the immense value of feeling represented by the books we read. Every child, regardless of their heritage or identity, deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they encounter. This principle is at the heart of our mission: to ensure that every classroom becomes a space where diversity is celebrated, respected, and nurtured.

First Book’s recently released study (September 2023) supports the importance of diverse books: Among the findings: “Increasing access to diverse books in the classroom environment increases the amount of time that children spend reading, and positively impacts students’ reading scores. (Source: First Book: Eliminating Barriers, Inspiring Young Minds; https://firstbook.org/solutions/diverse-books-study/)

To date, we have provided over 50,000 free diverse books to Pima County schools.

Total Project Budget: $70,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): New Initiative; Pending: Stocker Fdn, H. S. Lopez Fdn, Fred and Christine Armstrong Fdn; Sund Fdn; Beaty Martinez Fdn.

Project Duration: One year
Geographical Area Served: Pima County, Arizona
Age Group To Be Served: Grades 7, 8, 9

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Linda
Contact Last Name: Laird
Contact Title: Coordinator/President
Contact Phone: 520-664-4841
Contact Email: lindalaird@booksforclassrooms.org