Sun Prairie Nursery School receives literacy grant

Sun Prairie Nursery School has received a $250 grant to help develop and sustain School, Parent And Reading Connection (SPARC) programs.

SPARC is a home-based literacy effort that encourages family activities centered on reading and reading readiness. 

Since initiating SPARC in 1996, Dane County has supported more than 60 elementary schools and 30 preschools in developing or sustaining SPARC reading programs.

"Parent involvement in their child's education is essential to establishing a child's interest in and success in school," said Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. "SPARC is one way we offer support to parents and encourage children to develop an appreciation for reading at an early age."

Deborah Hobbins, Chair of the Dane County Youth Commission, said that parents responding to a survey conducted in 2000 reported spending more time reading as a family when using the SPARC materials while also gaining ideas to help their children build reading skills. Parents further indicated that SPARC fostered positive teacher, family and student interaction.

Twelve schools and preschools were selected from 21 applications that requested more than $8,200.