RIF Distributions

Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most.

Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children’s and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States.  RIF’s highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. 

Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.

Bridgeport has been involved with RIF for 5 years and services over 20,000 students 3x yearly.

RIF’s accomplishments are due in part to the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, corporations, foundations, community organizations, and thousands of individuals.

Our theme this year for RIF is “Bridgeport’s Athletes Support RIF” and recently our schools had our first RIF distribution kick off. High Horizon and Classical Studies both had athletic teams come to read and speak to their students. At High Horizons and Classical Studies Academy athletic teams read and spoke to students. Francine Carbone, High Horizons literacy coach invited Coach Charles Bentley and his Harding High School basketball team along with his wife Jaenella Bentley and her Harding High School girls volleyball team to visit and read together. “What a sight to see these nice young men & women sitting down and reading with Bridgeport’s little readers,” said Deborah Orifice, BPS Reading Consultant.

Classical Studies Academy literacy coach, Kathy Feller, brought together Fairfield University’s Soccer team with their students.  The soccer players went into the classroom and spoke to the students about soccer and the importance of reading both in playing soccer and being able to stay in school and succeed.

Curiale Celebrates Sports With RIF Books

Kindergartners through fourth graders recently celebrated Super Bowl excitement with the distribution of books offered through the “Reading is Fundamental” initiative. The students entered a classroom that had been transformed into a sport showcase. Baseballs, footballs, soccer balls, and baseballs floated throughout the room and hovered over tables decorated with tablecloths spattered with sports balls. Books to satisfy every taste and reading level were displayed on all of the tables. After the initial “wows” and “oohs and aahs”, the students excitedly surveyed all of the displays and chose their favorite book to take home and add to their own collection of books.

Each student on each grade level had the opportunity to write from one sentence on the Kindergarten level to an 8-sentence paragraph on the fourth grade level as they reflected on an inspirational saying that dealt with success and achievement. There were 5 very creative winners who won a sports decorated bag full of books, winter gloves with a sport theme, and other small toys.

Needless to say, Curiale’s students can’t wait for the next RIF event. Mrs. Warren, the K-4 Literacy Coach is planning another “wow” event. The students will participate in a book report using their new books. The new contest will have student busy over the February break as they try to create the winning report on their level.