PROGRAMS
BOOKS FOR KEEPS PROGRAM -- Each year, the RIF NOVA board raises funds to provide books to over 20,000 children at 30+ schools and sites in Northern Virginia. Those sites are listed below. Books are distributed to children at these sites at special book events throughout the year, often connected with holidays (such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, or Read Across America Day) or before holiday breaks. They are fun events, often with a theme or activities to encourage reading and make it fun. Click here to see photos from distributions so far this academic year! Please note: In all RIF NOVA programs, book choice is critical. Children are significantly more likely to read and finish a book they choose themselves, with studies showing that a large majority (88%) say they are more likely to finish a book they picked out, and 89% agreeing that their favorite books are ones they chose.
DONATED BOOKS PROGRAM -- In this program, RIF NOVA collects and provides new and (very) gently used books from interested people and organizations in the NOVA community. The books are sorted and then regifted to children in the schools we serve so the children can have more than one book each year. We also provide books for community members like AFAC, NVFS, and Vecinos Unidos, and during events like Culmore Day, the Fairfax Library Foundation's Children's Book Festival, and more! Learn more about giving and receiving donated books by clicking here!
AUTHORS IN OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAM -- funded by an initial grant from author David Baldacci and his wife Michelle Baldacci. Further funding was provided via a second gift from the Baldacci's and support from the Arlington Community Foundation's 2024 Wish List. This multi-year program brings authors and illustrators and their books to several of our RIF NOVA participating schools. Click here for info about that!
In addition, special programming with corporate and other partners allows us to provide additional books for children in our community. These programs have included:
STEAM It Up! -- In partnership with Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS) inCommunities, this program was created to provide local students with age-appropriate books and STEAM activities. Four RIF NOVA schools were chosen to participate in the program's initial round: Cora Kelly, Drew, Groveton, and Marumsco Hills. Ten schools are participating in 2025. Read more about it here!
AES: BOOKS & BUDDING BUILDERS -- Energy company AES, headquartered in Arlington, is providing STEM-related books AND teaching children about sources of energy. At Hoffman-Boston Elementary School in 2023 and Barcroft Elementary School in 2024, AES volunteers led the children through a project to build wind turbines and another to show how solar energy is transmitted from a solar farm into home use. Said one child, "This is the best day of my life!" See more by clicking here!
DONATED BOOKS PROGRAM -- In this program, RIF NOVA collects and provides new and (very) gently used books from interested people and organizations in the NOVA community. The books are sorted and then regifted to children in the schools we serve so the children can have more than one book each year. We also provide books for community members like AFAC, NVFS, and Vecinos Unidos, and during events like Culmore Day, the Fairfax Library Foundation's Children's Book Festival, and more! Learn more about giving and receiving donated books by clicking here!
AUTHORS IN OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAM -- funded by an initial grant from author David Baldacci and his wife Michelle Baldacci. Further funding was provided via a second gift from the Baldacci's and support from the Arlington Community Foundation's 2024 Wish List. This multi-year program brings authors and illustrators and their books to several of our RIF NOVA participating schools. Click here for info about that!
In addition, special programming with corporate and other partners allows us to provide additional books for children in our community. These programs have included:
STEAM It Up! -- In partnership with Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS) inCommunities, this program was created to provide local students with age-appropriate books and STEAM activities. Four RIF NOVA schools were chosen to participate in the program's initial round: Cora Kelly, Drew, Groveton, and Marumsco Hills. Ten schools are participating in 2025. Read more about it here!
AES: BOOKS & BUDDING BUILDERS -- Energy company AES, headquartered in Arlington, is providing STEM-related books AND teaching children about sources of energy. At Hoffman-Boston Elementary School in 2023 and Barcroft Elementary School in 2024, AES volunteers led the children through a project to build wind turbines and another to show how solar energy is transmitted from a solar farm into home use. Said one child, "This is the best day of my life!" See more by clicking here!
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RIF NOVA provides books to children at these schools and sites in Northern Virginia through our Books for Keeps program. Additional books are provided via our Donated Books and Authors in Our Schools programs. Corporate partners help with science-focused programming and books, including the Amazon/AWS "STEAM It Up!" project and the AES "Books & Budding Builders" program.
ALEXANDRIA Sheryl Leeds / Bea Bernfeld, Area Chairpersons * Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology * James K. Polk Elementary School * John Adams Elementary School * Patrick Henry K-8 School ARLINGTON Sari Warren, Area Chairperson * Arlington Even Start Family Literacy * Barcroft Elementary School * Carlin Springs Elementary School * Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School * Family Education Center * Kenmore Middle School * Randolph Elementary School * Swanson Middle School-HILT Program EASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY Liz Promen, Area Chairperson * Crestwood Elementary School * Fairfax County PreK and Early Head Start * Groveton Elementary School * Lynbrook Elementary School * Mount Eagle Elementary School * Woodley Hills Elementary School WESTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY Chris McLaughlin, Area Chairperson * ACCA Child Development Center * Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences * Bailey's Upper Elementary School * Falls Church-McLean Children's Center * Hutchison Elementary School * Seven Corners Children's Center PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY Nancy King / Sarah Bohn, Area Chairpersons * Bel Air Elementary School * Dumfries Elementary School * Innovation Elementary School * Kilby Elementary School * Marumsco Hills Elementary School * Potomac View Elementary School * Sinclair Elementary School * Vaughan Elementary School * West Gate Elementary School * Yorkshire Elementary School |
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