Excitement is in the air for Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) first graders as they receive decodable book packs this week! This initiative is part of a statewide investment of over $3.5 million, announced by Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education, to enhance early literacy efforts, address learning recovery from COVID-19, and support long-term student success across the state.

“This is huge for our students here at Hiawatha Elementary School. Many of our kids have books at home but they may not be able to read or to decode those books. Some of our kids don’t have books at home,” said Holly Reeder. “There was a little girl today, I said ‘Do you have books at your house?’ and she said ‘No.’” So now she has a whole bunch of books that she can take home and that she can read.”

Each first grader in the district will take home a pack of 20+ books, enabling them to practice and strengthen their skills beyond the classroom. The book packs, designed to align with the Science of Reading, aim to reinforce classroom instruction and bring parents into the learning process. Decodable books are specifically written for beginning readers, using simple words to help children connect letters and sounds. The books gradually introduce more complex skills to help young learners build strong foundational reading abilities. Each book also includes a QR code that links to video lessons for additional family engagement and learning.

This initiative is another step in ensuring that every CRCSD student is equipped, empowered, and engaged to excel!