ST. LOUIS, MO – Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) and Nine PBS announce the final delivery of free learning resources including 36,000 books for the 2023-24 school year. It all happens on Friday, April 5th. This highlights the successful collaboration between SLPS and Nine PBS, underscoring their shared commitment to literacy and education through the innovative "Literacy for the Lou" campaign.
Learning resources from Nine PBS feature the locally written and produced comic book series, Drawn In, which has captivated the imaginations of students across SLPS. Created in collaboration with Lion Forge Animation, the Academy Award-winning team behind Hair Love, Drawn In is a multimedia combination of animated video shorts, print and digital comic books, and educational games. All are on a dedicated website.
SLPS Superintendent Dr. Keisha Scarlett is enthusiastic about the initiative. "This partnership with Nine PBS and the 'Drawn In' series is a testament to our community's dedication to fostering a love for reading among our youngest learners. By integrating these engaging stories into our 'Literacy for the Lou' campaign, we are enhancing our students' reading skills through imaginative play and learning."
The final book delivery for this school year will include "Drawn In Issue #8: The Best Chef” along with mental wellness magnets, reinforcing the campaign's commitment to the holistic well-being of students. All pre-K through 3rd-grade students in the district will receive a book and a magnet!
Collaboration between Nine PBS and Saint Louis Public Schools, two heritage members of the community, should come as no surprise.
“For nearly 70 years, Nine PBS has been committed to helping this region flourish, and providing learning opportunities for all children is central to our purpose,” said Amy Shaw, President and CEO, Nine PBS. “We are proud to partner with Saint Louis Public Schools to bring Drawn In to life for students across St. Louis. It’s more than just books; it’s an investment in the future of our children and our city, empowering readers to explore new worlds through literacy and creative thinking.”
Saint Louis Public Schools and Nine PBS invite media to join in celebrating this milestone in literacy and education, as they continue to work together to inspire a lifelong love of reading in students.
For more information about the "Literacy for the Lou" campaign and the "Drawn In" series, please visit www.slps.org/LiteracyForTheLou and www.ninepbs.org/DrawnIn.