Butz, PPL, APC Support Literacy

Butz, PPL, Air Products Support Innovative Literacy Lab

As members of Education 2010 seeking to improve the outcome of education in the Allentown School District, Alvin H. Butz, Inc, Air Products Foundation, and PPL have together contributed $80,000 toward an innovative approach to teach early literacy among preschoolers through Community Services for Children. Lee Butz presented his company’s check of $20,000 through the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation. PPL forwarded their $50,000 contribution via the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Innovative Educational Program
Community Services for Children, Inc. in partnership with Education 2010 and Computer Aid/Imagination Station is launching an innovative project to enhance literacy among preschoolers living in the Allentown School District catchment area. The “Enhancing Literacy Project” includes a Literacy Laboratory and utilization of the Imagination Station Software program to provide opportunities for a strong foundation for language and literacy development essential for school readiness and success.

The state’s Educational Initiative Tax Credit program recognizes CSC’s Literacy Laboratory as an “innovative educational program,” for which business may contribute for tax credits.

Literacy Lab will improve early literacy gains
CSC projects that each child will have at least a 50% gain in

• listening, following 2-3 step directions, and phonological awareness
• speaking clearly enough to be understood without contextual clues
• using expanded vocabulary and language for a variety of purposes
• understanding concepts about print
• developing knowledge about letters
• comprehending and responding to stories read aloud
• representing ideas and stories through pictures, dictation and play
• using letters and letter-like symbols to convey meaning

Children at-risk
The initial “Enhancing Literacy Project” will open September 2009 at CSC’s PreK Counts Preschool, 1230 Linden St, Allentown. This is the prime catchment area for Central, Jackson and McKinley Schools, which have large percentages of low-income families.

The Literacy Laboratory consists of the following:

• unique print-rich, technologically-equipped learning environment
• Imagination Station computer opportunities for 20 preschoolers at one time
• Laboratory Center for small group reading/dramatic play area, small tables and chairs for teacher read aloud and writing opportunities
• Books, related educational materials for creative practice and opportunities for guided interaction with letter recognition, phonemic awareness and writing skills.

Teachers and assistant teachers provide each child with guidance and support on the Imagination Station computer for 10 minutes at a time. Education staff read and support children in writing, use of oral language, and instruction. With this comprehensive approach and consistent with best practices, children have a guided computer interaction and a “whole” literacy experience that produces positive outcomes. ###