Putting a book in the hands of a child, enabling them to build a personal library in their home, can have an immediate, lifelong impact on their educational potential. This holiday season, FIU’s College of Business has renewed its commitment to developing the reading skills of students of a local school, as well as stocking the school’s library.
This year the students at Broadmoor Elementary, located in Miami’s West Little River neighborhood, will be the beneficiaries of the recently-launched “Inspire a Child to Read” book drive. Now in its second year, the initiative aims to top the 500 books donated during the 2013 campaign.
“Reading is a stepping stone to becoming an enthusiastic learner,” said David R. Klock, dean of the College of Business. “Books hold the key to discovering new worlds. I’m proud that the College of Business is putting books into the hands of children in Miami-Dade schools.”
Students at the school are challenged by limited amounts of books at the school library as well as in classroom libraries. Many students don’t have books at home, making it difficult to complete independent reading logs. Broadmoor Elementary has 439 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
Book drive aims to boost students’ academic achievement.
Recent studies show that higher quality school libraries correlate with higher test scores on reading tests done at state, national and international levels.
In the 2013-2014 school year Broadmoor Elementary received a School Performance Grade of “F” from the Florida Department of Education. The school has seen a steady decline from “C” grades in 2011 and 2012 to a “D” in 2013. Schools’ grades are determined by students’ results on the FCAT 2.0 exam and end-of-course tests.
In an effort to turn around Broadmoor Elementary’s performance, Dr. Omar Riaz became the school’s principal in late June. His focus now is on improving the teaching and learning that takes place at the school.
“We want to increase the level of engagement used by our teachers to involve their students,” said Riaz, who in 2012 received his doctoral degree in Educational Administration and Supervision form FIU. “Many students in our school are from lower socio-economic levels and the book drive will allow them to extend learning beyond the school day. It will serve as an incentive for reading and learning to continue outside of school.”
The COB’s book drive runs through December 7 and books can be dropped off at donation boxes in the lobbies of the College of Business Complex and the Ryder Business Building. At the Brickell campus, book donations should be delivered to the 10th floor front desk. As part of the COB’s partnership with Books & Books, those wishing to contribute can purchase books via the FIU book drive page.
“Broadmoor Elementary and other schools in our community need help and we’re determined to set these students up for success in the future,” said Luisa Perez, director of marketing at the College of Business. “I’m confident that the dedication of the College of Business students, staff and faculty will help us build a community of readers.”
Books will be distributed to Broadmoor Elementary School on December 9.
