My Very Own Library

Students at Newark’s Ivy Hill School Kick Off United Way’s MY VERY OWN LIBRARY Program

United Way of Essex and West Hudson’s Hosts Women in Literature Kickoff at Newark School followed by FREE Book Fairs for 22,000 Students!


[NEWARK, NJ – March 22, 2019] Nearly 500 students at Ivy Hill School participated in the kickoff celebration of United Way of Essex and West Hudson’s My Very Own Library Book (MVOL) Program, which celebrated women authors. In all, more than 22,000 students in 35 Newark Public Schools during National Women’s History Month will receive books through the MVOL program.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, who was joined by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shakirah Harrington said, “Reading is key to student learning and development. I want to thank Catherine Wilson, Executive Director of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson, Scholastic, the authors, and the administration, teachers, staff and students of Ivy Hill School for an extraordinary program highlighting reading. Our students are excited to learn and the MVOL Program raises that level of excitement in our schools and at home.”

Ivy Hill Elementary School hosted a Hollywood themed book fair and special event paying homage to Women in Literature starting with a red carpet introduction of each author, followed by remarks, a brief book reading, dance, drama and the morning program closed with African drums and dance.

Ivy Hill Principal Dorrice Rayam Johnson said, “Our students at Ivy Hill are tremendously excited about receiving books and the opportunity to explore the world through the My Very Own Library Program. Thank you to everyone and especially to my students whose love of learning continues to grow – programs and events like the kickoff help us to make learning fun.”

The Ivy Hill program spotlighted 6 award winning female children’s authors. Following the morning’s assembly, the authors travelled to multiple Newark Public Schools throughout the city hosting My Very Own Library events to engage students in a discussion about being a children’s author. Free copies of their books were also distributed to students as well.

Participating authors were: Obludbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Amy Ignatow, Elly Swartz, Alyson Gerber, Ame Dyckman, and Jess Keating.

Newark Public Schools Teams Up with United Way of Essex & West Hudson, and Scholastic to Bring Author & Educator Sharon Robinson to Schools To Promote My Very Own Library Program

Daughter of the late Jackie Robinson visits three schools as part of national initiative

[Newark, NJ – June 20, 2017] Three Newark Public Schools hosted the United Way of Essex and West Hudson’s (UWEWH) My Very Own Library (MVOL) program, and author and educator, Sharon Robinson, daughter of the late, great Jackie Robinson on Friday, June 16.

Students at Hawkins Street School, Quitman Street School and Cleveland Elementary School were treated to day of reading as part of this national program, conducted in conjunction with Scholastic Book Fairs, a division of Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. In talking with the students, Ms. Robinson shared her journey as an author, educator and daughter to one of the greatest American hero’s, Jackie Robinson.

Roger León, Assistant Superintendent of NPS said, “Thank you to the United Way, Scholastic, My Very Own Library and Ms. Robinson for bringing this special reading program to Newark Public Schools. My Very Own Library helps to further our mission of encouraging students to read.” Joining Assistant Superintendent Leon was Assistant Superintendent Erskine Glover, who added, “Having Ms. Robinson in the District and participating in My Very Own Library Program, provides a unique opportunity for our students to experience the joy of reading. This program launches summer reading in a way students will remember and appreciate.”

Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball great and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson, is an acclaimed author of works of fiction and nonfiction as well as an educational consultant for Major League Baseball. She is the founder of Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life a baseball-themed national character education curriculum that helps empower students overcome obstacles in their lives. Robinson’s widely praised nonfiction books about her father, baseball legend Jackie Robinson, include Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson and Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America. Her other books include novels: The Hero Two Doors Down, Safe at Home, and Slam Dunk. Prior to joining Major League Baseball, Ms. Robinson was an educator and taught at Yale, Columbia, Howard, and Georgetown University. She currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

The partnership between NPS, UWEWH and MVOL allows students the opportunity to select three new children’s books at three special Scholastic book fairs, three times a school year.

“We are thrilled that Sharon Robinson is visiting students in Newark,” said Catherine Wilson, President and CEO. “This gives students an opportunity to not only connect with an author, but a woman whose family has made an indelible mark on African-American History. Our students are incredibly lucky to be able to learn from Ms. Robinson and connect her to their reading experiences.”

My Very Own Library Book Fair Wrapped up at NPS with over 15,000 students selecting Free Books!

By: Dillon Kalkhurst

The 2015-16 My Very Own Library campaign wrapped up in Newark with over 15,000 NPS students selecting three books each from the MVOL Book Fair. Each student also received a 4th book for summer reading. All-in-all, 60,000 brand new books were added to personal home libraries today.

Dr. E. Alma Flagg school kicked off the day and four incredible children’s authors visited schools during the day to speak with students.

The My Very Own Library Organization Makes Major Book Donation to #1000BLACKGIRLBOOKS

Print
Newark, NJ – February 4, 2016 – The My Very Own Library (MVOL) organization has made a book donation to help Marley Dias reach her mission to collect #1000BlackGirlBooks. MVOL (via the Foundation for Newark’s Future – [FNF]) spent $5,000 to help donate 1,000 books to Marley’s social action project. The first gift of 400 books is to help her meet the February 1 goal for Jamaica – that will be delivered to the GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF) directly.

“At Scholastic, we know how critically important it is for all children to have access to books they want to read,” said Alan Boyko, President of Scholastic Book Fairs. “Through working with literacy advocates and organizations like Marley and My Very Own Library, Scholastic is able to ensure all children have the opportunity to discover the power and joy of reading and connect with books and characters personally.”

In addition to the 400 books, per Marley’s request – MVOL, through FNF & Scholastic Book Fairs, is also donating 600 Books to St Cloud Elementary School, Marley’s old school in West Orange where Marley first identified the lack of diverse books and books with African American girls as main characters. Scholastic is also donating 1,000 more multicultural books to Speedway Academies and 5 different titles from a list she provided.

“For the past five years, the Foundation for Newark’s Future has worked to build a culture of literacy in Newark through our support of impactful initiatives that provide access to books and promote the tools and resources for Newark families to read together at home. As we transition our work to the community and its many education advocates, we are heartened that people like Marley are carrying the torch for literacy in the city and that the initiatives we leave behind – like My Very Own Library and Raising a Reader – will continue to
reach thousands of students every year.” -Kimberly McLain, President and CEO, Foundation for Newark’s Future

The Speedway Academies donation will be presented by MVOL, FNF, and Scholastic at GCF’s “Let’s Move It: Jersey!” Town Hall on Girls’ Health on February 20th, along with a book display at the event.

GrassRootsLogo-web-9About GrassROOTS Community Foundation
The GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF) is a public health and social action organization that supports, develops and scales health and wellness programs for women and girls, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. For more information, visit www.grassrootscommunityfoundation.org or follow online @grassrootsfound.

fnf_logo_final_071712About FNF
Foundation for Newark’s Future is an education foundation working to improve educational outcomes for Newark students. The Foundation is part of a $200 million campaign for Newark’s public schools, established in 2010 with a $100 million matching grant from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and quickly met with a $25M investment by the Pershing Square Foundation, among others. The Foundation invests in programs and initiatives across Newark that create large-scale change through short-term philanthropy.

PrintAbout My Very Own Library
My Very Own Library is a literacy program proudly supported by the family and friends of Anne Feeley (1954-2012) that encourages and supports students love of reading by providing them the opportunity to choose NEW books to build their very own home libraries. For inquiries or to make a donation, please e-mail us at info@nullmyveryownlibrary.org or visit us on the web at www.myveryownlibrary.org.

ScholasticAbout Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and e-books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized and comprehensive solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. The Company also makes quality, affordable books available to all children through school-based book clubs and book fairs. With a 94 year history of service to schools and families, Scholastic continues to carry out its commitment to “Open a World of Possible” for all children. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

UnitedWayAbout the United Way of Essex and West Hudson
Founded in 1923, United Way of Essex and West Hudson is a nonprofit organization that seeks to address the root causes of community concerns by aligning resources to best meet the needs of individuals, children and families through its service area annually. We serve a population of nearly 700,000 in thirteen communities in Essex and Hudson County. Visit www.uwewh.org.

Start Your Year of Reading with…Usher

QuitmanStreet UsherWatchtheReplayThrough our partnership with Scholastic and My Very Own Library, a program funded through the Foundation for Newark’s Future, 50 students from Quitman Street Community school were invited to attend a live Webcast with Grammy winning artist, Usher. During the event, Usher spoke to students about how kids can open up a world of possibilities, encouraged students to read and take action, and performed his song “Without You”. Two of our students, 6th grader Saiah Tagoe, and 7th grader Elijah Pollas were selected to ask questions to Usher during the live event. It was truly a once in a lifetime, inspiring experience for our students!