The collaborative Read On Chandler was recognized at the Chandler City Council’s May 19 study session for its contributions to youth literacy. In front, from the left, are Council member Jane Poston, Read On Chandler director Joanne Floth, children’s author and East Valley resident Ricardo Yancey Jr. and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. In back are Council members Angel Encinas, Christine Ellis, Matt Orlando and Jennifer Hawkins. Yancey Jr. gifted his book, “My Best Friend Granny” to each council member.
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke was mentioned by Read On Chandler director Joanne Floth, in a May 19 presentation, as a major helper in volunteering to read to children at three sites in April.
Edmundo Mendez, Jr./City of Chandler
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke recognized the group Read On Chandler at a May 19 City Council study session for its contributions.
Calling Read On Chandler “a great longstanding city partner,” Hartke praised the collaborative.
Its aim is to prepare children for school and help ensure all children can read by the third grade, he said.
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youth literacy
Chandler Council recognizes reading collaborative
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
The collaborative Read On Chandler was recognized at the Chandler City Council’s May 19 study session for its contributions to youth literacy. In front, from the left, are Council member Jane Poston, Read On Chandler director Joanne Floth, children’s author and East Valley resident Ricardo Yancey Jr. and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. In back are Council members Angel Encinas, Christine Ellis, Matt Orlando and Jennifer Hawkins. Yancey Jr. gifted his book, “My Best Friend Granny” to each council member.
Edmundo Mendez, Jr./City of Chandler
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke was mentioned by Read On Chandler director Joanne Floth, in a May 19 presentation, as a major helper in volunteering to read to children at three sites in April.
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke recognized the group Read On Chandler at a May 19 City Council study session for its contributions.
Calling Read On Chandler “a great longstanding city partner,” Hartke praised the collaborative.
Its aim is to prepare children for school and help ensure all children can read by the third grade, he said.
“We hope its organizations can continue to sacrificially give — out of passion and a purpose,” he said.
Read On Chandler’s director, Joanne Floth, said the collaborative has had 25 “VIP” guest readers go out to the 25 Title I Chandler Unified schools within the past two years to read to children. Those guest readers include Mayor Hartke and other Council members, such as longtime Read on Chandler supporter Matt Orlando, who read books to young readers in April.
“If any of you decide to quit your day jobs, you could all become storytellers, because you all did amazing,” Floth said.
In that two-year span, volunteers read to 2,200 kindergartners and one first-grade class, and distributed 24,000 books intended to be part of a summer reading program.
Also at the recognition was author Ricardo Yancey Jr., who gave a copy of his children’s picture book “My Best Friend Granny” to each council member.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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