Cabarrus County Education Foundation

The Business Case for Literacy ?? Early literacy = Future workforce success! Did you know 73% of jobs by 2030 will require strong reading skills, but today, only 54% of 3rd graders in Cabarrus County are proficient in reading? ?? Investing in literacy isn't just about education—it’s about building a skilled workforce and strong economy. Businesses, mentors, and community leaders can make a difference today! ?? Join us in supporting Reading+Mentoring 4 Success. See how you can GET INVOLVED at https://lnkd.in/exmUN4my

?? Celebrating Innovation in Education! ?? Today, we had the privilege of presenting grant awards to two exceptional educators: Heather Shulman of Hickory Ridge Elementary, recipient of the Strick Dalton Innovation Classroom Grant Alexandria Scott of Jay M. Robinson High School, recipient of the Bert Thomas Storytelling Grant Our classroom grants are designed to fuel creativity and innovation, empowering educators to bring transformative ideas to life. These grants directly support initiatives that enhance learning experiences, engage students, and foster a passion for education. We can’t wait to see these incredible projects in action and the positive impact they’ll have on students and school communities. Thank you, Heather and Alexandria, for your dedication to inspiring the next generation! Stay tuned for updates as these projects take shape! In the meantime, learn more at www.ccefnc.org. #EducationMatters #InnovationInEducation #SupportingEducators #ClassroomGrants #CCEF

What an incredible way to kick off the week! Over 1,000 smiles lit up the halls at Weddington Hills Elementary as we partnered with Eli Lilly and Company to distribute 2,060 books to students. This initiative encourages the joy of reading and helps build home libraries, because we know that children who have their own books love reading more and read more often—a vital step toward building essential life skills! At CCEF, we harness the power of community partnerships to support student success through programs that inspire learning, build critical skills, and prepare young minds for a bright future. Want to learn more about how you can make an impact? Visit us at www.ccefnc.org. #InspireLearning #StudentSuccess #BuildingBrighterFutures #CommunityImpact #CCEF #PartnershipsInAction

It was a wonderful evening celebrating the service of our outgoing and incoming Cabarrus County Board of Education members. We warmly welcome Melanie Freeman, Greg Mills, and Catherine Moore to the board, and extend our gratitude to Rob Walters for continuing his service to our students. We look forward to partnering with them to foster student success by leveraging community partnerships to deliver programs that inspire learning, build vital life skills, and prepare young minds for a bright future. Our heartfelt thanks to Denise Adcock, Brian Floyd, Laura Lindsey, and Keshia Sandidge for their dedication and commitment to supporting student achievement in Cabarrus County Schools through their service.

This month has been nothing short of amazing thanks to our incredible volunteers and donors! Your dedication has brought smiles to countless students' faces through our Book-a-Palooza events. With FOUR Book-a-Paloozas this month alone, your support has been the driving force behind putting books into the hands of students, building their home libraries, and fostering a love of reading. Your generosity is creating brighter futures and stronger readers, one book at a time! Ready to help us keep the momentum going? We're gearing up for Round #2 and would love for you to join us! Click here to sign up and be part of this life-changing initiative: https://lnkd.in/eCKPAS4u Let’s make December just as impactful as November! Together, we’re making a difference—one book and one smile at a time. #Thankful #VolunteerImpact #BookaPalooza #CommunityLove #CCEF #MakeADifference

We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated board members who are deeply committed to supporting student success in Cabarrus County Schools! Yesterday’s board retreat was a fantastic success, filled with thoughtful discussions, strategic planning, and a shared vision to build on over 24 years of impact. With new goals and innovative ideas, we’re excited to continue our mission of leveraging community partnerships to deliver programs that inspire learning, build life skills, and prepare young minds for a bright future. Together, we’re making a lasting difference in our community. Thank you to our board members for their passion and dedication! Here’s to another year of growth and impact! #StudentSuccess #EducationMatters #CCEF #CommunityImpact

Book-a-Palooza: putting smiles of the faces of kids, one (or two) books at a time :). Sign up to volunteer. https://lnkd.in/eabdxyuZ

This is how we prepare the next generation. This is the pipeline that feeds our future workforce. It takes the entire village to equip and empower our children to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Reading + Mentoring 4 Success offers business and community members opportunities to partner with teachers and schools to ensure that ALL children are reading by 3rd grade. Learn more at ccefnc.org.

Did you know that the average 8-12 year old spends 5 hours each day on a screen. And, 50% of kids that age do not read at all at home for fun. We need to change this. Maybe it starts with us. How much time do you spend reading versus on your phone or computer? Want to start reading more? Here are some great tips: - Start with shorter books or books that have shorter chapters. - Set realistic goals. One chapter per day or week. - Can't sit still long enough? Begin with an audiobook that you can listen to while you drive, clean or cook. Make time for reading like you would exercise or preparing meals. Help you kids do this as well. Before you know it, you'll have a new habit and hobby in your family.

What an inspiring Partners in Education Lunch! We are incredibly thankful to everyone who joined us in advocating for the future of public education in Cabarrus County. A huge thank you to our speakers, Charles Bowman, Jess Peacock, and Merl Hamilton, for sharing their passion, insight, and expertise on the critical connection between education and community success. Their powerful messages resonated with our attendees and sparked important conversations about how we can move forward together. Also, announced Lara Cabaniss, CCS STEM Coach, as the recipient for this year's Grace Mynatt Award of Excellence recipient. Three ways to get involved: * Volunteer: https://lnkd.in/ecCMu9PR * Support: https://lnkd.in/ejGFMfkz * Advocate: https://lnkd.in/edu5Swuk Learn more about CCEF and our programs at ccefnc.org. Photo credits: Phil Cavali