DID YOU KNOW?
- Students who aren’t reading at grade level in third grade are FOUR TIMES more likely to drop out of high school.
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As early as age 3, a child’s vocabulary can predict third grade reading achievement. (Source: Grade Level Reading Campaign)
That's why EBMS is partnering with United Way to raise money for Reach Out and Read of Yellowstone County. This program provides books to young children, age 6 months to 5 years, during their well-child checkups with their doctor, and parents learn how to engage their children in reading. This, in turn, creates strong readers who are ready to succeed in the classroom on their first day of Kindergarten and beyond.
EBMS currently funds Reach Out and Read at The Children's Clinic. We need your help in bringing the program to other family practice and pediatric clinics in Yellowstone County. This year, the program expanded to St. Vincent Physicians Laurel Medical Center and the Billings Clinic Pediatric Center Downtown, which means 18,000 books will now be distributed over the next year.
Let’s Hit 500 Books!
If 150 employees each donate $10, we’ll have this goal in the bag. Plus, Patrice Elliott will match up to 350 books. So, EBMS could potentially help 850 Yellowstone County kids have a better chance at succeeding in school – and in life.
Just $3 buys a child a book.
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Give in person. United Way staff will be on site to accept cash or checks. Make checks payable to United Way of Yellowstone County.
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Give online at http://bit.ly/EBMS-gives
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Give on your phone. Just text UWYC to 313131.
Anyone can donate, so encourage your friends and family to get involved, too. Your contribution is tax-deductible and receipts are available.
Donations are being accepted until Thursday, 11/6, at 5 p.m.
Join us on November 9!
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Win prizes! Get more information about prizes and giveaways from EBMS team members when you come to work on November 8.
- Eat free pizza during the Reach Out and Read Lunch-n-Learn in the Garden Terrace Room. Catch it at 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., or 12:30 p.m.
- Donate to the Reach Out and Read program. Just $3 buys one book and every dollar will be spent on books for local kids.
Check back on this website throughout the day for real-time updates, based on the donations we’re making. Let’s do this!
How does Reach Out and Read help children be successful?
Parental involvement in their children’s language and literacy development can outweigh the influence of the family’s income and demographics.
United Way of Yellowstone County is proud to support Reach Out and Read, an evidence-based early literacy program where children receive age appropriate books from their pediatrician at their well-child check ups, age 6 months to 5 years, and parents learn how to engage their children in reading.
- Parents served by Reach Out and Read are up to four times more likely to read aloud to their children.
- During the preschool years, children served by Reach Out and Read score three to six months ahead of their non-Reach Out and Read peers on vocabulary tests.
Reach Out and Read Resources
Milestones of Early Childhood Development
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Yellowstone County. Reach Out and Read is just one way that United Way is committed to this fight and remains steadfast in its mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Learn more about what we accomplish together, on a United front, at www.unitedwayyellowstone.org/our-work.