Group Giving Free Books To Peabody, Salem Students

From AFT: The American Federation of Teachers, AFT Massachusetts, the Salem Teachers Union, and the Peabody Federation of Teachers will distribute thousands of free books to local students this weekend through a partnership with First Book.

On Friday at 12:45 p.m., American Federation of Teachers Executive Vice President Mary Cathryn Ricker, AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos, Salem Teachers Union President Ann Berman, and Salem Public Schools Superintendent Margarita Ruiz will be at Bates Elementary School to read the new book Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña to first graders at the school, who will also receive a copy of the book to take home. The reading visit will highlight the importance of reading and encourage students to attend the next day’s book distribution event.

Also that morning, school and union officials will read to students and distribute books at South Memorial Elementary School and Carroll Elementary School in Peabody.

On Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Peabody Veterans Memorial High School will host a free book distribution day. Local students can come with an empty backpack and leave with it full of books to read at home. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

WHO: American Federation of Teachers Executive Vice President Mary Cathryn Ricker, AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos, Salem Teachers Union President Ann Berman, Salem Public Schools Superintendent Margarita Ruiz
WHAT: Reading and Distribution of Books to First Graders
WHERE: Bates Elementary School, 53 Liberty Hill Avenue, Salem
WHEN: Friday, November 30, 12:45 p.m.

WHO: Salem and Peabody Students, Teachers, and Parents
WHAT: Free Book Distribution Day for Local Students
WHERE: Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, 485 Lowell Street, Peabody
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

“The Peabody Federation of Teachers and the Salem Teachers Union are well on their way to hosting a spectacular First Book event,” said Peabody Federation of Teachers President Bruce Nelson. “Our 45,000 books arrived here in Peabody on time despite several unexpected challenges including a road closure in Pennsylvania and a truck bed that was 18” too high for the PVMHS loading dock. After just a few minutes of puzzlement, our custodial staff put their heads together and found some old locker room doors to use as substitute ramps. Brilliant!”

Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 175 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low income families in more than 30 countries. First Book currently reaches an average of 3 million children every year and supports more than one in four of the estimated 1.3 million classrooms and programs serving children in need. With an additional 1,000 educators joining each week, First Book is the largest and fastest-growing network of educators in the United States exclusively serving kids in need.

The American Federation of Teachers and First Book have been working together for more than 6 years to support educators and the students, families and communities they serve. Since the partnership began, it has brought more than 5 million books and other educational resources directly to classrooms, libraries, healthcare facilities, and other community places. In Massachusetts, AFT locals have now hosted 10 large scale distributions — in Boston, Lynn, Lowell, Springfield and now Peabody and Salem — bringing 500,000+ books to educators, students and families.

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