BOOKS FOR KEEPS: 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR!
RIF of NOVA's primary activity is our Books for Keeps program -- to provide new books for 20,000+ children at over 30 schools and sites in the City of Alexandria and in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. Books are distributed by school liaisons at book celebrations throughout the school year. Distributions for academic year 2023-2024 began in September 2024. Below, please find photos as they were added from throughout the school year.
Halloween Happiness at ACCA -- October 31, 2024
Halloween just would not be Halloween without the RIF NOVA book distribution at the ACCA Child Development Center. Teachers, parents, grandparents, and children get in on the act with costumes and a Halloween parade. As a special part of the tradition, RIF NOVA board member Chris McLaughlin sports her witch finery to read a not-so-spooky story to wide-eyed children who are beyond excited! Then it's time for school-wide trick-or-treating and book picking -- a definite treat!
|
|
|
|
|
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Arlington's Teen Parenting Fall Festival -- October 30, 2024
The weather was perfect for a fall festival and Halloween celebration at Arlington's Teen Parenting program, which included a moon bounce, a "hay ride," pumpkin painting, and apple picking. Some of RIF NOVA's youngest friends, all dressed in Halloween finery, were able to pick two books each to take home to enjoy! The morning finished up with a parade through the school where the children got to go trick or treating. The smiles were priceless! Thanks to liaison Nicole Boatwright and the staff at the center for putting their hearts into an amazing book distribution and fall celebration!
|
|
|
|
|
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
"Pandamonium" at Arlington's Even Start -- October 30, 2024
|
Two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, arrived at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on October 15. "Pandamonium" followed two weeks later at Arlington's Even Start program! With a big stuffed panda, a few baby panda pets, and real bamboo leaves to set the scene, children and parents worked together to make panda hats and panda plates. The book-picking even included some panda choices. Special thanks to RIF NOVA liaison Sara Mulrooney for creating such a panda-tastic event loved by moms and children alike!
|
|
|
|
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Falls Church McLean Children's Center -- October 18, 2024
The RIF NOVA book distribution at the FCMLCC is always such a treat for the some of our smallest readers as they picked out a book of their own. RIF NOVA partner, the New Dominion Women's Club, handed out books and read to the children -- adding to the fun!
|
|
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
"Fall into Books" at West Gate Elementary -- September 30, 2024
Children at West Gate Elementary in Prince William County started the fall season just right -- with a new book and some fall fun. The children walked around wide-eyed at the selection of books as if they were at a fall festival -- which they were! The kindergartners were especially excited, saying, "I can't wait to find my favorite book!" They also took away a fall-themed bookmark to color. Bravo to RIF of NOVA liaison Susan Bowden (shown in the photo below explaining what was about to happen to a kindergarten class) and Danielle Van Vlack, Title 1 reading teacher, for making this RIF NOVA distribution such a treat for more than 500 students!
|
|
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
