Rotary Club Provides Grant For Literacy

February 8, 2010 by sadie
Filed under Business News

Even though you lead a horse to water, he might not drink.

But if you lead a child to words through horses, he will read.

That’s the premise behind the Black Stallion Literacy Project, an initiative that gives first and fourth grade students the motivation to read and then witness the excitement and magic of a live equine theater production, with a special guest appearance by the Black Stallion.

The Rotary Club of Fairfield Bay is the proud sponsor of The Black Stallion Project at Shirley Elementary School and the Summer Reading Program of the Fairfield Bay Library. With a matching grant from the Rotary International Foundation and the Rotary Club of Fairfield Bay, $1,200 will be contributed to these programs. In addition, Rotarians from the Fairfield Bay Club will assist and participate in these events.

The program introduces children in first grade to reading their very own hardcover book, Little Black, A Pony. Each child receives two hardcover Walter Farley books to start or add to their own personal library. The program also provides an exciting opportunity for children to learn about and interact with live horses and the children even have an opportunity to read to their favorite horse!

The fourth-fifth grade program continues the legacy of reading by providing all the children with their own copy of The Black Stallion, a universally recognized children’s classic. Children are also introduced to the critically acclaimed 1979 movie of the same name. The fourth-grade program concludes with a field trip to the traveling Arabian Nights performance. “This spectacular show, featuring talented horse handlers in elaborate costumes, cleverly trained horses, special effects and the black stallion, serves as the culminating experience for the fourth graders to add rich meaning to the printed word,”

In the last 3 years the total circulation has increased over 100% and the number of youth patrons has increased approximately 400% due to our outreach efforts visiting the Shirley Elementary School classrooms K-6 annually and promoting literacy through programs such as the Summer Reading Program and partnering with the Black Stallion Literacy program.

The Black Stallion Literacy Program provides a simple but unique approach to motivate children to read, connecting children with a classic, hardcover book and the magic of live horses, according to Laura Graves, Arkansas coordinator for BSLP.

The Rotary motto Service Above Self conveys the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s more than 1.2 million members. Strong fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community and international service projects characterize Rotary worldwide.The Rotary Club of Fairfield Bay meets Wednesdays at noon at Indian Hills Country Club. Visitors and guests are welcome to attend. For more information, call Mark Davis at 501-723-4087.

Even though you lead a horse to water, he might not drink. But if you lead a child to words through horses, he will read.That’s the premise behind the Black Stallion Literacy Project, an initiative that gives first and fourth grade students the motivation to read and then witness the excitement and magic of a live equine theater production, with a special guest appearance by the Black Stallion.The Rotary Club of Fairfield Bay is the proud sponsor of The Black Stallion Project at Shirley Elementary School and the Summer Reading Program of the Fairfield Bay Library. With a matching grant from the Rotary International Foundation and the Rotary Club of Fairfield Bay, $1,200 will be contributed to these programs. In addition, Rotarians from the Fairfield Bay Club will assist and participate in these events. The program introduces children in first grade to reading their very own hardcover book, Little Black, A Pony. Each child receives two hardcover Walter Farley books to start or add to their own personal library. The program also provides an exciting opportunity for children to learn about and interact with live horses and the children even have an opportunity to read to their favorite horse!The fourth-fifth grade program continues the legacy of reading by providing all the children with their own copy of The Black Stallion, a universally recognized children’s classic. Children are also introduced to the critically acclaimed 1979 movie of the same name. The fourth-grade program concludes with a field trip to the traveling Arabian Nights performance. “This spectacular show, featuring talented horse handlers in elaborate costumes, cleverly trained horses, special effects and the black stallion, serves as the culminating experience for the fourth graders to add rich meaning to the printed word,”In the last 3 years the total circulation has increased over 100% and the number of youth patrons has increased approximately 400% due to our outreach efforts visiting the Shirley Elementary School classrooms K-6 annually and promoting literacy through programs such as the Summer Reading Program and partnering with the Black Stallion Literacy program.The Black Stallion Literacy Program provides a simple but unique approach to motivate children to read, connecting children with a classic, hardcover book and the magic of live horses, according to Laura Graves, Arkansas coordinator for BSLP. The Rotary motto Service Above Self conveys the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s more than 1.2 million members. Strong fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community and international service projects characterize Rotary worldwide.The Rotary Club of Fairfield Bay meets Wednesdays at noon at Indian Hills Country Club. Visitors and guests are welcome to attend. For more information, call Mark Davis at 501-723-4087.