Through The School Foundation, which promotes educational excellence in Florence’s SC School District 1, the Start 2 Read program can send a certified early childhood teacher to a business to distribute books to the parents/guardians of 1, 2 and 3-year-old children.
According to Debbie Hyler, SC State Library board chair and The School Foundation Executive Director, “many people don’t understand how critical it is to read to very young children. This program exposes parents to the joy of reading with their young child.”
For Florence area businesses to participate in this unique program, they can start by asking interested employees with 1, 2 and 3-year-old children to complete a Start SMART Readiness application (available by contacting The School Foundation). Businesses are also asked to provide a location and convenient time when parents can meet with a reading teacher individually or in small groups of no more than 5. Sessions last only about 5 – 10 minutes based upon employee questions. Eight books will be distributed each year.
To learn more about the Start 2 Read program, please visit the Start 2 Read webpage. For more information and application forms, please contact Debbie Hyler at The School Foundation at 843-662-9996 or dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org.
