Kim Davenport
P: 508.792.0220
E:
www.worcesterreads.org
Worcester Reads is excited to announce a special World Smile Day® event. Friday, October 7, 2016 is World Smile Day® and Worcester – home of the smiley face – loves to celebrate the iconic symbol. Over the past three years, Worcester has celebrated its love of smiles and reading. This year, Worcester Reads partners, including Edward Street Child Services, Worcester Family Partnership and Worcester Historical Museum, are teaming up to offer a Morning of Smiles at the Worcester Historical Museum. From 10:00 am – 12:00 pm the museum will offer complimentary entrance to families when accompanied by a child. Children are admitted free. “We are delighted to welcome Worcester children and their families as our guests for a morning of fun as we celebrate World Smile Day,” said Bill Wallace, Executive Director of the Worcester Historical Museum.
A special children’s program will begin at 10:30 am and will include a children’s book reading and book giveaway , visit from Smiley, a Smile Sing-a-Long with Chuck, and several craft projects. Children can make their own smile buttons, smile puppets and draw a picture of what makes them smile about Worcester. A special guest community hero will lead a group reading. “Children, books and smiles are a perfect combination. We know the most important 20 minutes a day is reading with your child. World Smile Day® helps us highlight the joy of sharing, caring and reading together,” commented Kim Davenport, Co-Chair of Worcester Reads at Edward Street Child Services.
About Worcester Reads
Worcester Reads is a coalition committed to promoting early literacy and reading. Co-chaired by Edward Street Child Services and Worcester Education Collaborative, the initiative amplifies the important message of reading to every child every day. It is the Most Important 20 Minutes of Your Day! Worcester Reads grew out of the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading and includes many organizations in the city that focus on early literacy. Worcester Reads coordinates those efforts and provides new resources, inspiration and direction.
About Edward Street Child Services
Edward Street Child Services is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to promoting the growth of children and strengthening families by improving the delivery of early learning services in greater Worcester through interagency collaborations, resource development and direct funding of programs designed to address the social, intellectual, emotional and physical needs of each child.
About Worcester Family Partnership
Worcester Family Partnership is a grant from the Mass Department of Early Education and Care to the Worcester Public Schools, serving families from birth to age eight. The purpose of the grant is to provide all families with access to locally available comprehensive services and supports that strengthen families, promote optimal child development and bolster school readiness. The grant provides playgroups, parent workshops, literacy activities, and PCHP home visiting services to Worcester families.
About Worcester Historical Museum
Founded in 1875, Worcester Historical Museum is the only organization solely dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Worcester’s unique and diverse history from all time periods and subject areas. The holdings of WHM encompass thousands of documents and artifacts vital to the study of Worcester history. Worcester’s history is interpreted through a calendar of exhibitions, educational programming, tours, and publications. WHM features both permanent installations and changing exhibits.