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Today I Read, Tomorrow I Lead
2025-2026 Reading Program
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Unique, bright, and indescribable minds
preparing to make an impact on the world!
Today I Read, Tomorrow I Lead is a reading program designed to motivate and improve the reading ability of elementary scholars from low-income households and/or scholars who lack the motivation to read. Scholars participating in the program will be provided with a home library of books to read independently or with family members accompanied by incentives for reading. Highlights for this program activity include:
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Rewards and incentives to read regularly.
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Culturally relevant reading material.
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A Book Review luncheon held at the end of the school year.
Today Read, Tomorrow I Lead program usually kick-off with an orientation in the fall. Friends For Life Foundation, Inc. will enroll participating scholars in a monthly book club. They will be required to read at least four books per month from the book club, a local library, or school library. The books read and number of minutes read will be recorded on a reading rewards website, a digital reading log that tracks each participant’s reading. Participants will be rewarded based on the information recorded on the reading rewards website and the reading evaluation provided by their teacher.
Events:
Event 1: Program Orientation
Event 2: First Semester Reading and Teacher Evaluation
Event 3: Second Semester Reading and Teacher Evaluation
Event 4: A Book Review Awards Luncheon
"Today I Read, Tomorrow I Lead"
The reading initiative is the centerpiece of the R.I.S.E. Signature Program (Reaching and Impacting Scholars for Excellence). The module, “Today, I Read, Tomorrow I Lead ” is designed to inspire and encourage elementary school students to enhance their reading skills. Students from kindergarten to fifth grade who join the program participate in a book club and receive multiple books each month for ten months. Their reading frequency and development are monitored using a reading rewards website, and rewards are given to promote reading habits. The program culminates with a Book Review Luncheon at the end of the academic year.
The inaugural program was launched on Saturday, September 21, 2019, involving five families and seven children. The RISE Committee initially set a participant limit of seven to manage resources efficiently and gauge the program's effectiveness.
Based on the favorable feedback from parents, it was decided to continue the initiative. In its second cycle, the program enrolled 11 students and concluded with nine. The third cycle began with an introductory luncheon on Saturday, October 1, 2022. In 2023, the Foundation initiated the Ruby Watts Campbell Reading Award for Excellence in Reading, a financial scholarship. It is awarded annually to three students across different grade levels for their reading and extensive written book reviews
Since the program's inception in 2019, we have positively influenced 54 students, inspiring them to embrace reading. By the end of the 2024-2025 cycle, 4 students graduating from the program, the total impact will increase further.
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