In recognition of the high expectations that come with the city's new learning standards, the plan establishes a credible baseline in the effort to restructure and to improve teaching and learning. Rockford to spend summer reading. Mayor Charles Box of Rockford, Illinois, in partnership with Rockford Public Schools Superintendent Ronald Epps and the city's public libraries, have launched a campaign to organize more than 1,000 volunteers and pair them with children to spend the summer reading. In particular, they plan to focus on the goal of helping all children read well by the end of the third grade. Participating students also will be asked to read 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and obtain and use a library card.
State representative speaks up on partnerships in Florida.
During the summer of 1996, Florida State Representative Lois Frankel decided to hold an event to foster community involvement in her district's schools in conjunction with America Goes Back to School . Working with Palm Beach County School District officials and Principal Penelope Lopez, she convened a community meeting at H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach. Johnson Elementary was chosen because of its success in attracting community volunteers. During the meeting, Representative Frankel spoke to parents, educators, businesspeople, and community leaders about the importance of family and business involvement in schools. Representative Frankel says that the meeting provided an opportunity for school, business, and community officials to discuss the importance of partnerships.