READ FOR THE RECORD 2013 NEWS BRIEF Issue #

Bridge Foundation supports global reading on Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Day, 2013 News Brief

READ FOR THE RECORD DAY , OCTOBER 3, 2013 , IN THIS ISSUE

Jumpstarts Read for the Record Day, 2013 in Trinidad and Tobago organized by Bridge Foundation

Once again with commitment, excitement, learn within joyful spaces. Read for the It is a wonderful time of year: and energy, schools throughout Trinidad and Record day declares and validates schools as Tobago participated in Read for the Record a center of learning within the communities • to share the importance of reading; Day on October 3, 2013. Bridge Foundation and the need for communities school • to demonstrate to students that for the fourth consecutive year, sponsored partnerships. On Read for the Record day, reading can be fun and engagingO;

Read for the Record Day and for the first we are constantly inspired by the gathering • to make known that their time this year. BGTT joined in and sponsored of students in assemblies, reading in halls, community supports students as Read for the Record day activities in Mayaro, classrooms, and even on stage and are they learn in school; South-East of Trinidad and Tobago. reminded that students are ready and poised • to offer support to principals and to be challenged and engaged. teachers as they do their important We recorded with the participation of 80 work; and schools, 25,494 children reading throughout Each year, Read for the Record day continues • to link resources, people and the country. to proclaim the importance of community in stakeholders to schools who are supporting our schools and our students. So, willing to support schools on Read Pictures shared in this News Brief show the as always, we bring stakeholders who are for the Record day and beyond. diversity of activities held on that day; all representative of many institutions to the with the purpose to create a buzz about the schools to join students as they read on Read importance of reading and the need to for the mind. support children as they learn in school. Independently, schools who participated Many ask why Read for the Record Day in with Read for the Record are beginning to Trinidad and Tobago. The answer is easy and experience community support and the need can be answered with a question. Why not? for role models to support their schools. We While all teachers are busy offering daily continue to be reminded that us that it takes instruction, attending workshops to a village to raise a child. understand new curriculum guidelines, and diligently working to ensure that the

curriculum is taught to standard, the Read

for the Record offers support to the teachers the Bridge Team and BGTT Partners and reinforces the need to inspire children to READ FOR THE RECORD 2013 NEWS BRIEF | Issue # 2

READ FOR THE RECORD PROMOTED Featuring VALUES OF TRUST AND FRIENDSHIP Bridge Foundation through Read for the Jumpstart‘s Record shared the importance of trust, loyalty and friendship. All important values to build Author and character and a caring society. Bridge Foundation requested schools to engage in conversations about the importance of friendship and to seek answers from Promoting students about what friendship means to Homegrown them. Integrity-Trust-Support

Authors on Read for the Record

Day, October 3, Jumpstart Author –Loren Long All schools received Jumpstart selected book, Otis 2013 written and illustrated by Loren Long.

Loren Long is an author and illustrator of New York Times best seller of children’s books. He is noted for President Barack Obama picture book, Theo I Sing and the re-illustrated edition of well-known book, A Little Engine that Could. He has also written an exciting series of Otis books such as Otis and the Tornado and Otis and the Puppy with a new book coming soon called Otis Christmas. This year’s feature of his book through Jumpstart Read for the Record, helped him to share the important message of friendship, support , trust and integrity. In Trinidad and Tobago they received the message loud and clear.

Homegrown Caribbean Authors On Read for the R ecord Day, Bridge Dianne Brown Books Hazel Campbell Books Foundation made a concerted effort to promote Caribbean authors and to give them Bernie and The Captain Sweet, Sweet Mango Tree a voice and a platform. Bridge Foundation Ghost

promotes Caribbean authored books through Cat Woman and the Goat Boy Never Cries Spinning Wheel its Read to Rise programme. A Tumbling World Cordelia Finds Fame and This year, we featured a complementary A Time of Fire Fortune Read to Rise book, Twins in a Spin by Diane Browne and Hazel D. Campbell including -To Heartiest congratulations to Hazel Campbell for Patos and Back authored by Andy Campbell from Trinidad and Tap, Tap, an international being awarded a Silver Musgrave Medal from author, Lynn Williams. the Institute of for her 'contribution to children's literature. Dianne Browne also won We understand that as children enter the Bronze Musgrave Medal from the Institute of world of literature, they must connect to all Jamaica (2004) and the special prize for the Twins in a Spin written by Diane genres, and particularly books that share best children's story by the Commonwealth Brown and Hazel Campbell their cultural heritage and offer familiar shared three stories with experiences and stories. One child stated Foundation (2011) wonderful learning lessons about that reading a Caribbean story, “is like Bridge Foundation implements a Read to Rise friendship, trust and making looking reading about my family.” programme promoting Caribbean authors and books. decisions. READ FOR THE RECORD 2013 NEWS BRIEF | Issue # 3

MAYARO READ FOR RECORD DAY, 2013 Serran Clarke, “ Ma Fable” poses with students from Mayaro Government Primary School and Guayaguayare R.C. School on Read for the Record Day, 2013.

Artistic Interpretation Photos of Otis by Holy Name Prep courtesy of St. Pius Primary school and Mucurapo Boys’ Primary School

Read for the Record Day, 2013

throughout T & T Bridge Foundation donated books to 80 Students of St. Monica’s Prep schools this year, which predominantly represented past Read for the Record As bells rang on October 3, 2103, schools schools. We did not increase the number throughout the country, as is the tradition of schools significantly this year as to in Trinidad and Tobago, schools organize solidify our base and to ensure school

for Read for the Record day and even those participation to maximize resources. that received books at the “nick” of time READ FOR THE RECORD FACTS created reading time to share the Read for

the Record story of Otis including other Next year, with the early input of schools,

Read to Rise Caribbean focused stories. we would like to continue to fill the schools

with Bridge Foundation ambassadors, Schools organized their Read for the Record community stakeholder including

25,494 day and engaged in dramatization, musicals institutions with a commitment to even a cricket game and dressed up to supporting schools and improving student students participated represent characters in the stories read. learning experiences.

Photos show children with young, bright and patient eyes filled with intensity sitting poised on assembly floors, on mats in gyms, and standing to attention watching story

80 tellers perform and listening to their every word of the story. Schools shared stories schools joined used different venues to ensure whole school participation by reading out loud on PRIMARY READING ACTIVITIES REPORTED P A systems, teachers reading in their classrooms and/or children reading to each WSP- Whole School Activity ( All children read in other throughout Read for the Record day. an assembly format or a story-teller reads out loud a story or teacher narrated the story through a PA Many schools created artistic spaces for system during reading hour.) their students and encouraged students to We thank Boss Trinidad for distributing books country-wide and for CC - Classroom to Classroom ( Teacher or Guest draw and paint pictures including poster reads the story in class.) boards to illustrate their thoughts about sharing of their time on Read for the Read for the Record books or their general Record Day.in Mayaro, especially, SRL - Student Read-Out-Loud- students read the feelings about reading. It continues to be a Snorky . story out loud to the whole school or in classroom day that schools look forward to every year.

READ FOR THE RECORD 2013 NEWS BRIEF | Issue # 4

SCHOOL PARTICIPATION BY ZONE North Zone Total = 30 Schools South Zone Total = 10 Schools 9889 4188 West Zone Total =15 Schools The Arbor School (170) Mayaro Government Primary (450) 3662 Guayaguayare R.C. Primary (169) Bethlehem Boy’s Primary (160) Carenage Boy’s R.C. School (203) Iere Home Nursery; San Fernando (60) Bethlehem Girl’s Primary (110) Carenage Girl’s R.C. School (143) Boy’s Gov’t Primary; San Fernando (432) Bishops Anstey Junior School (365) Crystal Stream Gov’t Primary (228) T.M.L. Primary San Fernando (163) Blackman’s Private School (202) Diamond Vale Gov’t Primary San Fernando Boy’s R.C. Primary (687) Chinapoo E.C.C.E (85) Diego Martin Boy’s R.C. School (485) San Fernando Girl’s A.C. Primary (435) Chinapoo Gov’t Primary (230) Diego Martin Girl’s R.C. School (364) San Fernando Girl’s Gov’t Primary (549) Holy Faith St. Bernadettes (222) Diego Martin Gov’t Primary (367) San Fernando Girl’s R.C. Primary (710) Holy Faith St Monica’s (380) Dunross Preparatory Primary (450) Holy Name Preparatory School (375) St. Paul’s A.C. Primary (533) East Zone Total =21 Schools International School P.O.S. (100) Mucurapo Boy’s R.C. School (241) 7364 La Puerta Gov’t Primary (303) Mucurapo Girl’s R.C. School (575) Aranguez Gov’t Primary (220) Maple Leaf International School (147) Nelson Street Boy’s School (305) Boy’s Gov’t Primary (535) Maria Goretti Primary (150) Nelson Street Girl’s School (357) Arima Girl’s Gov’t Primary (638); Patna River Estate Gov’t Primary (357) Newtown Boy’s R.C. School (450) Barataria Anglican Primary (708) Petit Valley Boy’s R.C. Primary (190) Newtown Girl’s R.C. School ( 560) Bon Air Gov’t Primary (315) Petit Valley Girl’s R.C. Primary (140) Rosary Boy’s R.C. School (625) Curepe Educational Centre Curepe (205) Sacred Heart Boy’s R.C. School (390) Curepe Presebyterian (730) Central Zone Total = 3 Schools Sacred Heart Girl’s R.C. School (758) Dinsley Trincity Gov’t Primary (625) 391 St. Agnes A.C. Primary School (355) El Socorro South E.C.C.E (35) St. Andrews Private School (370) Chaguanas Gov’t Primary (241) El Socorro North (120) Chickland R.C. School (45) St. Ann’s R.C. School (120) Mt. Dor Gov’t Primary ( 132) St. Catherine A.C. Primary (360) Gran R.C. School (105) San Juan Girl’s Gov’t Primary (150) St. Dominic’s R.C. School (100) San Juan Presbyterian Primary (594) St Rose’s R.C. School (419) St. Augustine South Gov’t Primary ( 235) Waiting for 1 school to report and is added to St. Theresa’s R.C. School (350) St. Joseph Boy’s R.C School (439) the list of participating schools. St. Ursula’s A.C. Primary School (353) St. Pius Boy’s R.C. School (241) Tranquillity Gov’t Primary School (470) St. Xavier Private Primary (535) Trinity Junior Private School (150) Tunapuna Boy’s R.C. School (211) Woodbrook Presbyterian School U.W.I. Pre School (248) & Valsyn E.C.C.E (48) & Y.M.C.A.La Joya (43)

At Mucurapo Boy’s Primary School football Highlights of Read for the Record and reading were on equal footing on Week: A Special September 30th September 30th. Jesu Copeland, Public , UEFA Coach Relations Director, and International Football Factory read the Footballer for UK shared Jumpstart book Otis aloud and with students that ……without reinforced the importance of the ability to read, you will not be reading to excel as a football able to maximize your potential as a player. footballer. Reading and being knowledgeable gives you an edge above all other footballers. He explained to the boys, that reading At Dunross Preparatory School all hats were on and Stacey makes you smarter and allows to Alfonso Mills, Author expressed to children that she negotiate your football contracts and demand a higher salary. received inspiration to write books through reading. They also listened attentively to Nikita Mohamed from Plastikeep who read Twins in a Spin and shared the true meaning of friendship. READ FOR THE RECORD 2013 NEWS BRIEF | Issue # 5

Mayaro Government Primary School leadership prepared well for the Read for the Record Day along with Guayaguayare R.C. School. BGTT supports Read for the Record Day Mayaro Government Primary School students circled around their school court in Mayaro for Mayaro Government Primary School yard in the Mayaro morning cool and and Guayaguayare R.C. School patiently participated into the early

afternoon with sun positioned high in the sky.

It was off to a late start, but quickly Read for the Record ambassadors shared stories with students and captured their attention.

Acting Principal Girharie and Mr. UpRhine introduced the Read for the Record and expressed its their school support for Read for the Record day and to the yearlong support of BGTT which supports the Read to Rise programme.

Education Supervisor 1 encouraged students to read and share the commitment of local TT Pro league education to all reading and literacy efforts in Terry Fenwick, UEFA Coach and Mayaro and Guayaguayare. International (UK) Footballer inspired and shared with students in Port of donates on Read for Danielle Delon writer and organizer of Children’s Bocas Lit Fest along with Seran Spain at Mucurapo Boys Primary the Record Day Clarke a.k.a Ma Fable story teller kicks off the reading time with Read for Record Book, Uncle Errol-Fabien-Story Telling Otis.

Ma Fable captivated children’s imagination with her tag line- Tell a Story and was later invited her story teller partner to share.

Later on Brazil Link representatives Narada Wilson and Ila Padmore expressed their commitment to link Mayaro-Guayaguayre and Brazil culture through reading and started that process through asking students to repeat Portuguese words from Read for the Record books. Children left Read to Rise New with the words” bon dia” which means Cultural Exchange “good morning.” Partner: Brazil Link

Children were later dazzled by Uncle Errol story letting and Read to Rise students Ma Fable and Brazil Link with watching short-films to introduced BGTT Uncle Errol-Fabien Story Telling Mayaro School Leadership supported Recognizing Reader competition. Students through Read to Rise to creating Time in Mayaro Brazil Link headed by Cy Padmore is the own beginning and ending of the story. dedicated to improving trade and Selected competition book is Boys of St. cultural exchanges between the

Clair Hill by Stacey Alfonso-Mills. Caribbean and Brazil through the development of international business,

foreign language/cultural competency training and with a commitment to

On Read for the Record Day in Mayaro: support educational initiatives such as Recognizing Readers Competition was launched Read to Rise.

through the Read to Rise programme

READ FOR THE RECORD 2013 NEWS BRIEF | Issue # 6

Quick News: In June 2013, schools were selected and participated in GEF SGP Knowledge Fair

Bridge Foundation organized Global Environmental Facilities (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) United Nations Development Programme Knowledge Fair. Many schools were requested to attend and students actively participated in the booths and exhibitions which showed-cased environmentally innovative strategies being implemented by non-governmental organizations and government institutions.

Students were introduced to the methods of recycling, and fun ways to keep plastics

separated at home and at school. You Can Become a Bridge Foundation Ambassador

Many students participated in environmental focused games and were challenged to answer questions about the rivers of Trinidad and Tobago including the names of animals that help to keep their environment clean.

NIHERST also engaged students in their activities and water cycle demonstration and other NGO’s like Recycling in Motion that shared methods of separating materials and reusing materials for multiple purposes.

Students also enjoyed the skits called the

Comedy of Horrors with Errol Fabien. Nikki Crosby, Penelope Spencer and other cast members including NGO, Plastikeep.

Children watched environmentally focused films and documentaries by international and local organizations organized by Sustain TT.

For more information, please go to knowledge fair and www.knowledge fairtt.com.

You may contact Bridge Foundation at

the following: Link

The Normandie

10 Nook Avenue, St. Ann’s Trinidad Tobago Office Phone: 1868-621-2387 Cell Phone: 1868-376-4795 Email: [email protected] Website: bridgefoundationtt.com Facebook: bridgefoundation Knowledgefairtt.com

READ FOR THE RECORD 2013 NEWS BRIEF | Issue # 7

Read for the Record

2013 News Brief Jumpstart Read for the Record Day Trinidad and Tobago Schools

Trinidad and Tobago Schools