KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Exciting News for Young Readers!
This week in Knoxville, there’s a delightful reason to cheer, especially for our younger bookworms! The Opportunities with Literacy (OWL) Fest is making its way to Knox County, and guess what? It’s all about giving students the chance to pick out free books! Yes, you heard that right—free books! This initiative is part of a bigger effort by state leaders to boost literacy among our young readers, and it’s happening right at our local schools.
What is OWL Fest?
So, what exactly is OWL Fest? Think of it as a pop-up bookstore where kids can browse, choose, and take home books without spending a dime. This wonderful event is backed by federal funding aimed at enhancing literacy in schools deemed “Priority” throughout the state. The Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) is teaming up with the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) to bring this bookish bliss to three lucky schools in Knox County.
When and Where?
Mark your calendars! On Thursday morning, more than 500 enthusiastic Pre-K to 5th-grade students are set to visit Lonsdale Elementary and Maynard Elementary, where they can choose their very own books to take home. And that’s not all—on Friday, the excitement continues at the Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy! What a fantastic way for kids to build their personal libraries!
Why Does This Matter?
Now, you might be wondering why this is such a big deal. Well, here’s the scoop: according to GELF, less than half of Tennessee’s 3rd graders are reading at grade level. In Priority schools, that number drops even lower, with proficiency rates sitting between 22% and 38%. This is concerning because reading skills are vital for academic success. Studies show that just having a few books at home can greatly improve a child’s educational journey.
In fact, research has found that kids with as few as 25 books at home tend to finish an average of two more years of school compared to those without access to books. This highlights the importance of not only reading but also ensuring children have access to literature. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love having a stack of interesting books just waiting to be explored?
The Impact of OWL Fest
Last year, OWL Fest was able to make a significant impact by serving 30 schools and distributing an impressive 54,000 books to nearly 9,000 students—all completely free! The excitement and positive feedback from both teachers and students after this event inspired GELF and TDOE to bring OWL Fest back for another round in 2024.
“At Lonsdale Elementary School, we know that reading is a major key to success,” said William Smith, the principal of Lonsdale Elementary. “We are excited about this opportunity to provide all of our students with books to ensure that the love of literature continues beyond this school building and into the home.” What a wonderful sentiment!
Looking Ahead
As OWL Fest rolls into Knox County, it’s a heartwarming reminder of how communities can come together to support our youngest learners. Who knows? This could be the spark that ignites a lifelong love of reading in these students. So, if you know any students in the area, be sure to let them know about this fantastic opportunity to score some new books!
Let’s get those kids reading and enjoying the magic that comes from flipping through the pages of a book. Happy reading, Knoxville!
