Katahdin Trust and United Way Continue Literacy Partnership

Once again, the United Way of Aroostook and Katahdin Trust Company are partnering to provide all first graders throughout Aroostook County a backpack with free books to read over the summer.

This is the fourth year of “The Summer Slide" program and the third that Katahdin Trust has partnered with United Way of Aroostook. "The Summer Slide" program  encourages first graders to continue reading throughout the summer to keep their reading skills sharp and to keep their reading fluent.

Volunteers from Katahdin Trust will help United Way to deliver the books to each participating school in late May/early June and backpacks will be provided to the children at no cost. Each pack will contain three books, some activities, and other materials.  Activities enclosed in the backpack will help children to engage with the books they were given.

This year a book about saving money will be included in all backpacks to encourage young people to begin the good habit of saving money for the things they want and need.  A money related activity will also be given to each child in hopes that math skills will be practiced along with reading.

Later in the year in July and August, Summer Reading Celebration events will be held in all three regions of the County so kids can celebrate the end of summer and the start of a new school year.

For more information about Summer Slide or the United Way, please contact their office at 764-5197.