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The Department has moved to 135 Santilli Highway in Everett. The Department's office and Licensure Welcome Center are open. The new location has free parking and is a short walk from the Wellington station on the MBTA's Orange Line.
For Immediate Release
Friday, November 6, 2015
Contact:ESE: Jacqueline Reis 781-338-3115 EEC: Kathleen Hart 617-988-7819

Baker-Polito Administration Proclaims November Family Literacy Month

Malden - The Baker-Polito Administration has proclaimed November 2015 the Commonwealth's 19th annual Family Literacy Month in recognition of the pivotal role that parents and family members play in their children's educational success. To celebrate and recognize Family Literacy Month, communities across the state will host activities throughout November to bring families together in support of literacy, lifelong learning and family well-being. "I treasured the hours I spent reading with my own children, and I hope all families can carve out time each day for this fun, simple activity that is such an important part of children's development," said Governor Charlie Baker. "The foundation for literacy development begins early and is supported through vocabulary rich-interactions with children such as talking to them, asking questions, singing and reading," said Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber. "These simple activities have the power to significantly impact a child's language development and reading ability, providing them with a solid foundation for success in school and life." The state's curriculum frameworks reinforce the importance of reading, writing, speaking and listening across all subjects, not just in English class. "Families who read together are nurturing children's natural curiosity and active imaginations," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester. "By exploring new subjects together outside of school, children and their families can strengthen both family relationships and children's knowledge." Among the activities taking place in November across Massachusetts are the following:
  • November 7 (multiple locations): Museums and libraries across the state will host StoryWalks for children and families as part of a joint initiative between the Department of Early Education and Care and the Boston Children's Museum. StoryWalks are displays of pages from a children's book along an outdoor path, where each page guides the reader down a trail, combining the benefits of physical activity, time outdoors in nature, literacy and family time. StoryWalks will be held in Concord at the Concord Children's Center across from the Fowler Library, in Boston at the Otis House Museum, in Clinton at the Rauscher Farm, in Deerfield at the History Workshop, in Southbridge at the Southbridge Family Center, in Newton at the Newton Free Library, in Northbridge at the Whitinsville Social Library and in Salem at Salem Willows.
  • November 7 (Cambridge): The Cambridge Family Literacy Collaborative will hold the city's 19th annual Family Literacy Fun Day at Cambridge City Hall with storytelling, free books, children's activities, face painting and Bonaparte the Magician.
  • November 7 (Chelsea): The Chelsea Public Library will host the 10th annual Chelsea Reads celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children will receive a free backpack and books, and there will be guest story tellers and other performers.
  • November 10 (Lawrence): Community Pathways Lawrence will sponsor its annual Family Literacy Fun Day at the Lawrence Public Library featuring guest readers, crafts, games, dance and vocal performances, face painting, free books and refreshments. There will be short classes on financial literacy and healthy eating for adults as well as raffles and library tours.
  • November 17 (Middleborough): The Middleborough Public Library will host a Family Night featuring local author Louise M. Dery-Wells, who will read her new picture book, "The Enchanted Doll". A craft will follow.
For more information about family literacy and ways to promote it, visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website at November is Family Literacy Month. The Department of Early Education and Care also has resources to support families with young children on its website at Department of Early Education and Care. ###



Last Updated: November 6, 2015



 
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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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