Hundreds of books: North Elementary students benefit from Altrusa's Literacy Project

Hundreds of books are on their way to Jefferson Schools’ North Elementary School.

Altrusa International of Monroe kicked off its 2023 Altrusa Loves Literacy Project recently with a book program and book gifts for North's third graders.

In honor of Reading Month, Dr. William E. McCloskey read to all three third grade classes.

“Bill has become Altrusa’s literacy champion,” Nancy Williams, Altrusa's book chair, said

All third graders also will receive a free book from Altrusa.

“The three third grade classes at North Elementary were selected to receive books from this year’s project,” Williams said. “Teachers selected the books their classroom will receive based on what fits into their curriculum in late March.”

Every student will receive a hardcover book and read them together as a class. Afterward, the student can take the book home.

“It’s a forever gift from Altrusa International of Monroe,” Williams said.

One class received the book “Memories of a Goldfish.” The second class received “Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun” or “Having the Courage to Be Yourself.” The third class received “Legends of Sleeping Bear.”

As another part of this year’s Altrusa Loves Literacy Project, softcover books for first through third grades will be given to the school for its classroom lending libraries.

“My dining room really started to fill up with boxes as the books were delivered,” Williams said. “A total of 685 were donated. Special thanks to Kelli Zaranka, teacher at North Elementary, for coordinating this project with Jefferson Schools.”

Monroe’s Altrusa Loves Literacy began in the summer of 2019. The project is funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of Monroe County.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: North Elementary students benefit from Altrusa's Literacy Project