Our mission is to provide our over 13,000 pre school through sixth grade students in Title I schools the opportunity to freely choose three books a year. These students attend schools that are in Salinas and North Monterey County, including Castroville. As Title I students they receive free or reduced lunch, hence have a low SES
Our BIG IDEA is the same as our mission, to provide over 13,000 Title I students in Salinas and North Monterey the opportunity to freely select three books a year, books they may choose, read at home or at school, share with their families, and take home to keep forever. There is much research on the value of children having engaging books at home to enjoy. Our students tell us their parents cannot purchase books for them and also that they enjoy our selection. They find new and known authors of fiction and nonfiction in our selection. Their teachers tell us the children look forward to "RIF" Days.
Many research studies show that books in the home are a great way to enhance literacy. Our project allows the littlest students to grade six students with great opportunities to better their literacy skills, and open new worlds through books. Monterey County is in need of a multi-prong approach to improving reading among its students and SARIF is one of the important prongs- self selected, engaging, books in the home!
We have programs in Salinas and North Monterey County, including Castroville.
I love books and I want my sister to read books to me and to be smart."
- Kindergarten Student at Laurel Wood School, Salinas
