DISTRICT COLLABORATION BRINGS TWO LENDING LIBRARIES TO LIFE
Dylan McCullough MAR 02, 2022
Garrison Keillor once said, “A book is a gift you can open again and again”. With the help of Anderson 3 First Steps and several Crescent students, Iva Elementary is excited to share the gift of free books. We are proud to announce the unveiling of not one but two Little Free Libraries.
The two libraries are housed at the front and back of the school, ensuring access to free books any time of day. The library at the front of the school hosts a proud Tiny Tiger inviting you to come grab a book. The artwork was sketched and painted by Sydney Broadwell, Crescent student & Learning Buddy. This library is organized by grade/age and was filled with book donations from Emily Truman, Crescent student & Learning Buddy. The library at the back of the school was graciously donated by Anderson 3 First Steps. Volunteer Stan Brown, installed the beautiful library that was designed and painted by Crescent High Schools Art students, Jamie Young and Ruby Mattia-McMullan. The books were provided by community members and Anderson 3 First Steps.
The mission of Little Free Libraries “...is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries.” Iva’s libraries are on the map and open for readers of all ages. As you come to check them out, take a book. As you finish it, you can return it to any Little Free Library (there are several others throughout the Starr-Iva communities) or share it with a friend. If you find yourself with a book you would like to add, simply place it in a library for someone else to select. We hope you join us in celebrating reading and visit our libraries soon!
Anderson 3 First Steps Coordinators Susan Brown and Tammy Vaughn stand beside the Lending Library at the back of Iva Elementary. Susan and Tammy work with Anderson 3 teachers, families and students to promote literacy.
READYROSIE ACTIVE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
Anderson County First Steps Partnership has been awarded an $11,374 Early Childhood Innovation Grant to implement the ReadyRosie Active Family Engagement System (https://www.readyrosie.com/) from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022, in Anderson School Districts One, Two, Three, and Four to enhance parenting, early education, and school transition strategies. The ReadyRosie mission is: Every Child Can be Ready to Learn When Schools and Families Work Together. Its three major components are: 1) Ready Families, 2) Ready Educators, and 3) Ready Schools which complements the South Carolina First Steps Ready Kindergartner approach to early childhood education. Tools available to families are: “modeled moment” English and Spanish videos which can be customized and are accessible to families by email and website, and text message for families without computers, and online family parenting workshops. For more information and to enroll, contact the First Steps program coordinators in Anderson School Districts One, Two, Three, and Four:
Anderson School District 1 - Areas Served - Powdersville, Williamston: Liz Wittebort (Wittebortl@apps.anderson1.org)
Anderson School District 2 - Areas Served - Belton, Honea Path: Allison Strickland (astrickland@asd2.org) Anderson School District 3 - Areas Served - Starr, Iva: Tammy Vaughn (vaughnt@acsd3.org) Anderson School District 4 - Areas Served - Pendleton, Townville: Charity Walker (CLWalker@anderson4.org
Executive Director's Annual Message
During 2020-2021, SC First Steps and Anderson County First Steps celebrated 20 years of providing school readiness support and resources to children ages 0-5 and their families. During the past 20 years, the Anderson County First Steps Partnership has distributed over $13,000,000 to area providers for parent and family strengthening programs and services, school transition programs and early education classes for at-risk children.
The Partnership provided:
•227 children and 217 adults with family strengthening/parenting skills through Positive Parenting/Family Literacy Programs, Early Education 4 year-old Kindergarten half-day classes, and Nurse-Family Partnership program assistance to first-time mothers;
•29 children and 29 parents with school transition support to 5-K kindergarten assisted by 10 teacher/home visitors from 9 schools through the Countdown to Kindergarten program;
•999 books for children through Positive Parenting/Family Literacy, Early Education, and Countdown to Kindergarten programs; and.
•233 children and 198 adults with 7,136 child development and school readiness materials through our community education and outreach events and activities.
In total, 1371 children, adults and families participated in high-quality programs, received referrals and resources, and attended community education and outreach events.
Anderson County First Steps Partnership is proud of achieving these important milestones. Our mission could not have been accomplished without the passion, dedication, and support of our community partners.
Paige Wall
Executive Director
Anderson County First Steps Partnership Office:
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