Students receive free books from partnership with Scholastic ahead of April 17 distribution

The Hillside Public School District held a meeting on March 27, 2025, focusing on various initiatives aimed at enhancing student literacy and community engagement. A significant highlight of the meeting was the ongoing partnership with Scholastic, which has provided free books to students throughout the year. This initiative aims to enrich the libraries of students' homes, ensuring they have access to reading materials.

During the meeting, it was announced that the next book distribution event is scheduled for April 17. Miss Candy Rawls, a key figure in this initiative, shared her passion for reading and the importance of providing books to children. She emphasized her commitment to ensuring that every child has access to reading materials, stating, "If they don't have books, I give them books."

Miss Rawls also discussed the involvement of community mentors who come to read with students across all elementary schools, including ECC and APMARS. This program not only fosters a love for reading but also encourages mentorship within the community. She noted that if a mentor is unavailable, teachers step in to fulfill that role, further enhancing the learning experience.

The meeting underscored the district's dedication to promoting literacy and community involvement, with plans for continued collaboration with Scholastic and other local partners. The next steps include the upcoming book distribution and ongoing reading initiatives that aim to engage students and foster a lifelong love of reading.