BROWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE REACHES OUT TO PROMOTE LITERACY

Students at the college newspaper, 'The Observer', will be kicking-off a yearlong campaign to promote literacy and positive reading habits in fellow students and the community.

(PRWEB) July 11, 2003 -- Students at the college newspaper, 'The Observer', will be kicking-off a yearlong campaign to promote literacy and positive reading habits in fellow students and the community.

In addition to providing Broward Community College and the North Campus with a quality student newspaper, this year the North Bureau strives to support the efforts of the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL), the Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA), and the Literacy Coalition of Broward County; all of whom are dedicated to improving the literacy rates of all Americans.

Illiteracy is a silent epidemic in our country. In researching this plight, the North Bureau learned startling information related to the fight against nationwide illiteracy.

According to the National Assessment for Educational Progress:
"[In] a study of 21-25 year olds, 80% couldnt read a simple bus schedule, 73% couldnt understand a local newspaper story, 63% couldnt follow written map directions, and 23% couldnt locate the gross pay-to-date amount on a paycheck stub."

Youngsters whose parents are functionally illiterate are twice as likely as their peers to be functionally illiterate themselves. The education of the parent is the single greatest predictor of whether a child will be raised in poverty. One of five Broward County adults is not considered to be functionally literate.

For example, these adults are unable to read a map or bus schedule, complete a job application or write a letter. Because of these alarming facts, the North Bureau feels it to be our civic duty to take action. We are aiming exclusively at our local community by providing numerous activities throughout the year, both on-campus and off, that seek to instill positive reading habits and enhance comprehension of BCC students and Broward County residents everywhere.

The students have coordinated two ongoing projects for the year that coincide with their goals.

•Sun-Sentinel News Day Tuesdays." What started off as proposal for a monthly program to be underwritten by Student Life, the North Bureau has already contacted and partnered with the Sun-Sentinel in bringing the publication to not just North, but all BCC campuses, to be distributed every Tuesday beginning in September at no-cost to students. Florida Atlantic University offers a similar daily program with USA Today. "We feel that our program would not only keep a budget in mind, but prove to be highly beneficial to the student population in terms of educational and informational value, while promoting healthy reading habits amongst our students," said the North Bureau Chief, Josef Palermo.

•An ongoing book drive. The North Bureau would be collecting both used and new books of any reading level from students, faculty, and the community for semesterly donation to area outreach centers (such as: The Boys & Girls Clubs, Covenant House, hospitals, and lower-income Broward Schools). The collection would start in the fall and continue until May, with donations in December and May. Drop boxes would be placed at the Library, Bookstore, Wynmoor community clubhouse, academic departments, and at the North Bureau office in the Student Life building. The collection would also be heavily promoted at North Bureau participation in Student Life events/club rushes.

The North Bureau has also planned several programs for the year which would again coincide with their involvement in the fight against illiteracy, and partnerships with the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) and the Literacy Coalition of Broward County.

September 2003
Monday, September 22nd, to Thursday, September 25th: Fall Into Literary Arts!"
This is an entire week that the Bureau hopes to co-sponsor with the English and ESL/Reading Departments, the office of Student Success, the Broward County North Regional Library, and North Campus Presidents Council. The week of events, set against an autumnal backdrop of fall" will promote the literary arts, in addition to featuring a poetry contest and short story contest of student submissions.

The schedule is as follows:
Monday:   Ready to Read!" The library would be out in the breezeway encouraging students to register for a library card, as well as informing them of library services and upcoming functions, and featuring the monthly visiting guest author. The office of Student Success would also be in attendance to highlight the myriad of student services it offers, as well as the ESL/Reading department to talk about the reading lab.

Tuesday:Poetry Slam Jam". This day is dedicated to promoting the beauty of poetry, with a student poetry contest and showcase in the breezeway. The Pan Ku literary arts magazine and various other student organizations would also be invited to participate in making the day a Club Rush event, with each club in attendance asked to represent a different poet that has contributed to this wonderful art form.

Wednesday:Freedom of the Press". On this journalism-themed day, The Observer would host a forum and lecture in room 152 featuring a panel of guest speakers from local news media outlets.

Thursday:The Write Stuff"; committed to creative writing. A day-long series of workshops in room 152 aimed at providing assistance to students in successful writing. English professors and the Writers Workshop would facilitate these lectures, with professors bringing their classes to participate. The winner of the short story competition would be named that afternoon in the breezeway.

October 2003
Ongoing book collection with participation in Student Life events.

November 2003
Monday, November 10th: Little Readers @ Little Learners"
On this day, staff members of The Observer will invite student organizations, Student Life staff, and campus administrators in joining them in Little Readers @ Little Learners." This program will find the volunteers reading childrens books to the tiny little friends at the Little Learners College.

Books will be selected and provided courtesy of the Juvenile Reading department at the Broward County North Regional Library. In addition to reading, the volunteers will participate in reading games and activities with the Little Learners. "This will prove to be both a fun and rewarding program for all involved," says Palermo.

December 2003
Our first donation of collected books will take place just in time for the holidays. In conjunction with Verizon Wireless and Seasons Readings, The Observer will be donating its collected books to lower-income children and families in addition to area outreach centers like the Covenant House and hospitals.

Seasons Readings is a charity largely supported nationwide by Verizon Wireless and is well-known for supporting the efforts of local literacy coalitions across America. The Observer staff says they are pleased to be affiliated with Seasons Readings this year.

January 2004
Ongoing year-long book drive kicks off and continues, starting with North Bureau participation in the Welcome Back Cookout hosted by Student Life.

February 2004
Tuesday, February 17th: Celebrating African-American Achievements in Journalism" luncheon and lecture
In honor of National Black History Month, the Bureau wishes to host a luncheon in room 152 to highlight the milestones made by African-Americans in the field of journalism. The luncheon would be sponsored by the North Bureau with co-sponsorship funds made available through the North Campus Presidents Council.

In addition, they have invited and confirmed keynote speakers such as the publisher of the Broward Times (Keith Clayborne), a well-regarded predominantly Black-staffed publication, as well as Sonji Jacobs, staff writer at the Miami Herald and president of the South Florida chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Students would be joined by faculty and staff in acknowledging the efforts of African-Americans in journalism.

March 2004
Thursday, March 25th: Salute to Women in Journalism"
As part of Student Lifes Womens History Month programming, The Observer would like to join in celebrating the trails women have blazed in all aspects of history; especially in journalism, from the pioneering work of Nellie Bly to the first woman to anchor the national nightly news, Connie Chung.

A distinguished female journalist would be invited to facilitate a lecture celebrating womens achievements in journalism, as a chapter in Student Lifes series of events for the month of March.

April 2004
Currently unscheduled as of 5/5/2003: Race to Erase Illiteracy" 3K Walk/Run
In conjunction with the annual Unity Walk," the Bureau would like to co-host the Race to Erase Illiteracy" 3K Walk/Run with Student Life in the breezeway. Local companies known for contributing to the cause of improving literacy would be asked to also help sponsor this event with donations to the Literacy Coalition of Broward County and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), advertisement, and most importantly, participants.

In addition, clubs would also be asked to participate as runners/walkers and contributors. Our book collection would also be an important focal point of this event, with area booksellers (like Barnes & Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks, etc.) to be asked to donate at least one new book to the FirstBook National Book Bank for every runner/walker participating in the event. The students are currently seeking sponsorhip and assistance from outside agencies, organizations, and businesses.

With promoting its cause in Student Life events and other organizations on-campus activities, the North Bureau hopes to achieve their mission of eliminating illiteracy while improving the reading skills and habits of not just BCC students, but the surrounding community as well, with the aforementioned programs listed above.

It is their sincerest hope that they inspire the North campus student population and other Broward County residents to help them combat illiteracy and raise awareness of this silent epidemic.