OKCPS Foundation partners with Metropolitan Library System to host summer events sponsored by Children’s Hospital OU Health
The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation and the Metropolitan Library System are partnering together to plan a lineup of exciting events this summer to encourage students to read over the break. The ReadOKC On the Go! Book Bus events begin Wednesday, June 1 with a Summer Launch Event at Almonte Library and continues with four more events throughout the summer months at locations across the metro area. These visits are made possible thanks to a generous donation from Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health.
Mary Mélon-Tully, Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation President and CEO, said the ReadOKC On the Go! Summer Reading Series includes four public events and two events dedicated to OKCPS summer school students who reach certain reading benchmarks through their participation in ReadOKC’s ”Explore A Good Book” Summer Reading Challenge and maintain good attendance during summer school.
Related: Foundation for OKC Public Schools unveils ReadOKC On the Go! Book Bus
“It is vital to continue consistent reading habits in the summer as a way to nurture a love of reading and to help students of all ages be prepared to walk through their school’s doors in August,” said Mélon-Tully. “With over 14,000 books distributed in less than one year of operations, we’re confident that the ReadOKC On the Go! Book Bus can help kids keep reading throughout the summer months with these special events.”
Mélon-Tully said the sponsorship provided by Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health and the existing partnership with the Metropolitan Library System makes all of this possible. All ReadOKC On the Go! Summer Reading Series public events are open to all ages and hosted free of charge.
“At Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, our physicians are passionate about caring for the whole child and they know physical health and mental health are closely aligned. We are so pleased to support the Summer Reading Series and help get books to the children in our community who may not have had access to them previously,” said OU Health Senior Vice President of Marketing and Extern Relations Jennifer Schultz. “Oklahoma City Public Schools is a special partner to us at OU Health. We continue to find areas to support them, including the virtual urgent care program that will be offered at no cost to staff, student and families this fall.”
“The mission for the Metro Library System is ‘Connecting our diverse communities with resources and experiences to educate and enrich lives,’" said Christopher Kennedy, director of community relations for the Metropolitan Library System. “What better way to live our mission than to partner with the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation and ReadOKC to promote literacy across Oklahoma County? Summer reading is a great opportunity for all of us to keep practicing our literacy skills.”
2022 ReadOKC On the Go! Summer Schedule
Summer Launch Event – Public Event
Wednesday, June 1 from 1-5 p.m.
Almonte Library, 2914 SW 59th Street, Oklahoma City, 73119
Metro area families with children of all ages are invited to join this Summer Launch Event at Almonte Library. The event will include a visit from the ReadOKC On the Go! Book Bus and all children who attend will receive a book of their choice, a coloring page and bookmark. Other activities will include a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts activities, and refreshments and snacks. The event is free and open to the public.
Juneteenth Celebration featuring Oklahoma author Alton Carter – Public Event
Tuesday, June 14 from 1-3 p.m.
Ralph Ellison Library, 2000 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, 73111
Metro area families with children of all ages are invited to attend the Juneteenth Celebration at Ralph Ellison Library. Oklahoma author Alton Carter will be in attendance for a book signing and talk with attendees. Carter is best known for his 2015 release of “The Boy Who Carried Bricks” and its sequel “Aging Out” that was released in 2016. The event will include a visit from the ReadOKC On the Go! Book Bus and all children who attend will receive a book of their choice, a coloring page and bookmark. Spoticus, the Metropolitan Library System mascot, will be in attendance to entertain audiences of all ages. The event is free and open to the public.
Mid-Summer Events for OKCPS Summer School Students only
Tuesday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 29
Scissortail Park, Downtown Oklahoma City
OKCPS Summer School students who maintain good attendance and reach certain reading benchmarks in the ”Explore A Good Book” Summer Reading Challenge will be invited on a field trip to Scissortail Park as a reward for their dedication to reading and attending summer school. The ReadOKC book bus will be at Scissortail Park and all students will receive a book, coloring page and bookmark. Students will also be able to participate in story time led by the Metro Library, Poetry and Chill, and free play time at the Play Pavilion.
Mid-Summer Prevent the Slide Event featuring author Rebecca Balcárcel – Public Event
Friday, July 8 from noon-2 p.m.
Capitol Hill Library, 327 SW 27th Street, Oklahoma City, 73109
Metro area families with children of all ages are invited to join this Mid-Summer Prevent the Slide Event at Capitol Hill Library. The event will include a visit from the ReadOKC On the Go! Book Bus and all children who attend will receive a book of their choice, a coloring page and bookmark. Children’s author Rebecca Balcárcel will be presenting and reading to children, and all attendees will receive a copy of one of her best sellers. She is the author of SHINE ON, LUZ VÉLIZ! and THE OTHER HALF OF HAPPY, which was named a Pura Belpré Honor Book, an ALSC Notable Book, and the Best Middle Grade Book by Texas Institute of Letters. Her next book, a collection of short stories by multi-racial/multi-cultural authors, comes out in 2023.The event is free and open to the public.
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