Left Behind or Lifted Up? The Power of Early Literacy to Change Lives
Imagine starting a race with your shoes untied. You might stumble, fall behind, or even stop altogether. Now, imagine that race is a child’s education—and literacy is the tied shoe that keeps them moving forward. Literacy is not just about reading books; it is a gateway skill that unlocks doors to education, career opportunities, and lifelong success. Research shows that children who are not reading proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. That’s why the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is making early literacy a priority—and why the Madison Public Schools Foundation (MPSF) is rallying community support to strengthen this critical mission.
Why Early Literacy is the Key to Lifelong Success
Early literacy skills – phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension – lay the foundation for academic achievement. When children master these skills early, they are more likely to excel in all subjects, graduate on time, and pursue higher education. But when they fall behind, the gap only widens, creating a ripple effect that extends into adulthood. Literacy is directly linked to employment, health, and civic engagement, making it a crucial factor in building strong communities.
MMSD is committed to ensuring that all students develop the literacy skills they need to thrive. The district has recently made a significant investment in science-of-reading literacy curriculum and training, ensuring that educators have the tools and knowledge to provide effective, evidence-based instruction. As part of this effort, MMSD has launched Mad for Reading, an initiative designed to engage families and the community in fostering a culture of literacy. However, schools cannot do this work alone. It takes a village—a network of dedicated parents, organizations, businesses, and community members—to ensure every child has access to the books, resources, and support they need to succeed.
How MPSF and Our Adopt-a-School Partners Are Making an Impact
Through our Adopt-a-School program, MPSF is mobilizing community support to strengthen literacy efforts across the district. Our AaS partners are more than supporters—they are an essential part of the literacy ecosystem, providing resources, mentorship, and encouragement that help students develop a lifelong love of reading. These partnerships go beyond providing books; they create meaningful connections that reinforce the power and possibility of literacy.
Stories of Literacy in Action
At Milele Chikasa Anana Elementary, classrooms will be transformed thanks to a recent generous $18,000 gift from Blackhawk Church. With magnetic letters, flashcards, and oral language cards, young learners will strengthen their phonological awareness and fluency in both English and Spanish. The gift of literacy is not just in materials – it is in the confidence these tools help build.
A different kind of reading companion is making an impact at Anana Elementary—therapy dog April accompanied by Attic Angel volunteer Jeanne Shultz. Every week the duo visits the school to work one-on-one with three different students, offering them a patient and comforting audience as they read aloud. After one of her weekly visits, Jeanne shared: “I had a good visit today, April always a big hit. The little girl with selective mutism was incredibly talkative today and even did some reading to April. Really made my day. She has said that she is suddenly more talkative everywhere and that is such good news. … Life is not easy for so many kids; I am happy that April brings a bit of joy into their lives.”
At Midvale Elementary, the Madison West Kiwanis Club is planting seeds of encouragement. Their generous book donation is accompanied by heartfelt handwritten notes from community members inside the front covers, reminding students that their efforts are valued. Lannia Stenz, Director of Gilda’s Club, shared a personal note: “Reading can take you on an adventure or make you laugh when you feel sad. You are never alone if you have a book with you. I hope you enjoy this book and many more. All my best.” The Kiwanis Club’s support extends beyond books; they also funded the creation of a sensory-sensitive cafeteria space, providing a calming environment for students who struggle with transitions, allowing them to find peace during lunchtime.
Since 2011, Leopold Elementary fourth graders have embarked on a unique literacy journey through Leopold’s Adopt-a-School partnership with the State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR). By establishing a Pen Pal program, Leopold students exchange letters with DOR staff, enabling students to not only sharpen their reading and writing skills but also build meaningful connections with supportive adults in their community. DOR employee Amy Boutelle reflects on the program’s impact: “Our Pen Pal Program is a wonderful way for DOR employees to support school literacy efforts. My daughter’s third-grade teacher once explained how writing strengthens students’ literacy skills, and that really stuck with me. As a pen pal, I always consider how my simple letter might help a student become a stronger reader. Many of our volunteers recognize the challenges some students face with literacy, and they bring their passion for helping children to every notebook exchange.”
Within MMSD, Community Schools are a unique subset of schools designed to serve as neighborhood hubs, bringing together educators, families, and community partners to support student success. In these schools, young readers have the opportunity to meet role models who inspire them to turn the page toward their own bright futures. Through a special partnership, Wisconsin Athletics brings athletes and coaches into Community Schools, sharing stories of how literacy has shaped their personal and professional journeys. The UW student-athletes read with the second graders, each of whom receives a free book.
At Lapham Elementary, a simple yet powerful tradition continues, an annual book donation from the Department of Health Services ensures that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality books at home, through the annual Lapham book giveaway. Because having books of their own can spark a lifelong love of reading.
Meanwhile, Hawthorne Elementary’s library continues to evolve as a vibrant space for young readers. Originally transformed through a full-scale makeover that started in 2013, the library remains a welcoming hub for exploration and learning, thanks to ongoing support from Demco. From bookmarks to refreshed resources, these enhancements ensure that students step into an inviting, well-stocked space that fosters a love of reading.
Beyond school walls, literacy is being fostered in everyday moments. Through MPSF’s own Adopt-a-School partnership with MMSD Metro, students can choose books to keep from a Room of One’s Own, bringing stories into their world and making reading a cherished part of their lives.
At Midvale Elementary, a partnership with WIDA is ensuring that every child leaves the book fair with a book of their own—because having the power to choose what they read helps nurture a lifelong love of books. WIDA Finance Coordinator Rachel Maske shared how their team rallied around the cause: “All of the donations were from individual employees. … We had one employee and their partner donate because they had been recipients of a similar program when they were kids, and they were thankful to be able to give back.” That generosity translated into a meaningful experience for students at Midvale. Ann Taillon, Midvale’s Library Media Tech Specialist, expressed her gratitude: “Massive THANK YOU to all WIDA members for the generous donation for purchasing books for our post-Book Fair giveaway event for students who didn’t get a book from the Book Fair. I was able to use it to buy a whole big crate of books, which became part of the giveaway in the library. … The students were SO EXCITED to choose their ‘forever books.’ Thank you again for making this a beautiful event!”
Supporting Literacy Investments for Generations to Come
MPSF is proud to support sustainable literacy initiatives by administering funding that helps ensure every child has the tools to succeed. While these funds were established by dedicated donors, MPSF manages the gift processing and distributions that make their lasting impact possible.
- Forever Literacy Thoreau Endowment Fund: A generous gift from former MMSD staff member Elizabeth Shema, whose $323,000 bequest continues to support literacy initiatives, educator training, phonics materials, and culturally relevant books at Thoreau Elementary. Each year, between $12,000 and $15,000 is invested in shaping the futures of young readers, with the goal of bridging gaps and ensuring the academic success of all students. Today, you can even check out books written by Thoreau students at Madison’s Sequoya branch library, highlighting the lasting impact of this fund.
- MMSD Library Endowment Fund: A vital resource supporting MMSD Library Media Services projects and programs. This fund helps ensure that every school library remains a gateway to knowledge, imagination, and discovery, providing resources to enhance book collections and support dynamic literacy initiatives.
- Reading Recovery Scholarship Endowment Fund: This fund supports scholarships for graduates of the Reading Recovery program, providing crucial support to students who previously benefited from intensive literacy tutoring. Although the program is no longer in place at MMSD, these scholarships continue to impact the lives of students who received this targeted intervention. Since 2003, the fund has provided $107,000 in scholarships, impacting the lives of 229 young readers by offering them the personalized instruction they need to succeed.
- Read Up! Madison Fund: Contributions to this fund support literacy-based activities and summer learning initiatives through the MSCR program, ensuring that young minds stay engaged and have access to learning opportunities all year long.
Take Action: Be a Champion for Literacy
We believe in the power of books to change lives. Every child deserves the chance to become a confident, capable reader, and we need your help to make that happen. Join us for the 3rd Annual Schools Make Madison Summit on April 30, 2025, a powerful gathering focused on tackling the challenges of student attendance and literacy. Your participation will help drive the conversation about how we can create a future where literacy unlocks the doors to opportunity for all students. Register Now >>
Together, we can make sure every child starts their race with their shoes tied—ready to run toward a bright future.
