Inaugural Class of Latino K-2nd Graders Graduate From Innovative Pilot Reading Program Launched by LNESC and Supported by the Verizon Foundation

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Jul 16, 2012, 02:51 ET

NORCROSS, Ga., July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A graduation ceremony will be held on Wednesday (July 18) for 15 children from Beaver Ridge Elementary School who gave up part of their summer vacation to improve their reading skills by attending a pilot program created by LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) and supported by Verizon.

The ceremony will be held at the school, where the children attend kindergarten through the second grade. The program, supported by a $250,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, uses technology to help improve the reading skills of children from low-income Latino families and provides teachers with training on how to leverage technology to drive educational outcomes.

With Verizon's support, LNESC -one of the nation's largest Latino education organizations – has brought into the 21st century its signature Young Readers program which addresses low literacy rates. This investment in technology integration and teacher training by LNESC and the Verizon Foundation will supplement the Procter & Gamble and Target sponsored national Young Readers program, which will launch at 15 schools in the fall.

WHAT:	Graduation Ceremony For K-2nd graders who completed a pilot of LNESC's updated Young Readers program. Students will showcase the ebook each created with the help of their families, incorporating pictures, audio clips, and text to tell a story about their life outside the classroom. The ebooks capture the curriculum's emphasis on improving writing skills through technology. Verizon's Julie Smith and Jason Resendez from LNESC will present the students with certificates for their participation in the program.
WHO:	K-2nd Grade Students, Parents and Teachers Julie Smith, Vice President of External Affairs Verizon Jason Resendez, Director, Corporate Relations & Development LNESC
WHEN:	Media invited to sit in on the lesson of the day 8:30am-9:30am Remarks from funders and closing presentations with students and parents 9:40am – 10:20am
WHERE:	Beaver Ridge Elementary School 1978 Beaver Ruin Rd. Norcross

About LNESC:
LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) was established in 1973 by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to provide educational programming to high-need students throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Throughout 14 education and technology centers, LNESC has served over 500,000 students, sent 150,000 students on to college, and awarded nearly $20 million in scholarships. LNESC's results are made possible by a network of dedicated field staff, top-notch teachers, over 90 school partners, and the support of LULAC - the nation's largest membership based Latino organization. LNESC works to change lives and build Latino communities, one student at a time. More information about LNESC and its programs can be found at www.LNESC.org.

SOURCE LNESC