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Mansfield’s CTA receives Mansfield/Norwood funds

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The Mansfield Community Teachers Association (CTA) recently received a $1,600 award from the Mansfield/Norwood Fund. The local chapter has been active for many years in supporting students and teachers in a variety of educational endeavors. The current goals of the group include: providing scholarships for graduating seniors and contributing to  district/community needs.

The current district/community need represented in this proposed project is to continue funding the Dolly Parton Imagination Library established in 2016. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum partnered with the CTA as the 50lc3 affiliate. By joining forces with the Dollywood Foundation, children from birth to the age of five living in the Mansfield School District have the opportunity to receive a book every month delivered by mail to their home. This is giving the gift of literacy to parents from the beginning of their child’s life. Research shows that reading aloud is one of the most important activities a parent can do to support brain development, language learning, and the prerequisite skills for reading. Currently, 91 children are enrolled in the program, with 160 graduates of the program to date. This community service is vital because books can be expensive. In the local district, approximately 75% of children qualify for free and reduced meals. These families may not have money in their budgets for reading materials in their homes. It is estimated that 200 children of preschool age live in the Mansfield school district. The acquisition of books to build a home library for these children will enhance the quality of life for all members of the household.

The CTA can now provide 12 books a year per child ages birth to five at a cost of $30 per child.

Along with the books that the families will receive monthly, this project will allow the Mansfield Community Teachers Association to partner with the district preschool and area Head Start to be a more active advocate for literacy with preschool families.

The families will receive regular encouragement in the development of early literacy skills through flyers, social media and parent contacts.