WakeEd Partnership

?? This spring, WakeEd led the charge in recruiting community volunteers to support the Wake County Public School System #LevelUpLiteracy program for 1st–3rd graders! ??? Thanks to an incredible response, 442 volunteers signed up, with 325 completing the two-hour in-person training. These dedicated individuals are now being placed with students in 35 schools across Wake County to make a meaningful impact on young readers. At Forest Pines Elementary in Raleigh, a teacher shared a heartwarming story: one of her 2nd graders comes to school extra excited every Monday—why? Because it’s Level Up Literacy day! He eagerly asks his teacher all morning, "Is it time for my Level Up yet?!" ???? We’re proud to partner with Read and Feed, whose engaging curriculum builds literacy skills through all five components of reading: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Learn more about Level Up Literacy here: https://lnkd.in/eiAfthtk A huge THANK YOU to all our volunteers and supporters for helping students grow a love for reading! ???? #ReadingMatters #CommunityImpact

Yes, period supplies are school supplies! 1 in 4 teens struggle to purchase period products due to lack of income increasing emotional stress and stigma and driving some menstruating students to miss school. Research shows that when schools provide these products, student attendance increases. WakeEd is proud to partner with the DIAPER BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA to provide FREE Flow Kits at #Tools4Schools for Wake County Public School System teachers to share with students who need them.

This year WakeEd's #PartnersRead program is in 62 elementary schools across Wake County Public School System serving 620 children. Each Friday more than 300 WakeEd volunteers travel to their school and read for 30 minutes with up to 2 students. Each child gets to select the book to read and then keep the new book to take home to build their own library - that's 20 brand new age appropriate books over the school year that help build confidence and a love of reading. Learn more about Partners Read here: https://ow.ly/NZ8a50VfX4T

Hey Wake County Public School System teachers! Our #Tools4Schools shelves are restocked with the most asked-for items and there are shopping slots available for you! Come in and spend your Quarter 3 points before the end of the quarter on 3/31. Remember, the points don't roll over so be sure to spend them before they're gone! Sign up for your shopping slot here: https://ow.ly/3XVt50VeYru

If the U.S. Department of Education and federal education funding disappears, Wake County Public School System students and families will suffer. Federal dollars provide crucial assistance for homeless students and school-based mental health services. These programs help students facing trauma, abuse, and housing instability stay in school and receive the support they need. Without federal funding, WCPSS may struggle to provide these services, putting already at-risk children in an even more precarious position. Read more here: https://ow.ly/vBCl50V92bE

If the U.S. Department of Education and federal education funding disappears, Wake County Public School System students and families will suffer. Over 40 Wake County schools currently provide free breakfast and lunch to all students using federal funding. Additionally, all other schools depend on federal dollars for free and reduced-price meal programs. If these funds disappear, many children will go hungry during the school day, impacting their ability to focus, learn, and succeed in the classroom. Read more here: https://ow.ly/ZJYl50V929V

In Wake County, that means about 6% of the district's operating budget is at stake, according to the president of WakeEd Partnership, Keith Poston. "$140 million is not "nothing," Poston said. "Most of the federal funding is to support the most disadvantaged students, too. So you think of things like Title I schools, free pre-K, free lunches. Fifty-six-thousand students in Wake County rely on free and reduced lunch." https://lnkd.in/eS6dtFVs

If the U.S. Department of Education and federal education funding disappears, Wake County Public School System students and families will suffer. This past week the Trump Administration eliminated millions in teacher training and recruitment grants, including an $11.8 million WCPSS grant that has been critical in modernizing hiring practices and funding dedicated recruitment staff. This grant has helped reduce teacher vacancies, particularly in high-need schools. WCPSS credits the grant to contributing to their current low teacher vacancy rate compared to the years before new recruiters and teacher supports were added. Without these resources, teacher shortages could worsen, impacting education quality across the county. Read more here: https://ow.ly/OhOJ50V926S

If the U.S. Department of Education and federal education funding disappears, Wake County Public School System students and families will suffer. Wake County’s nationally recognized magnet programs depend on competitive federal grants. Currently, $16.1 million supports magnet programs at 13 of Wake’s 61 magnet schools including: ? Dillard Drive Magnet Elementary & Middle ? East Cary Magnet Middle ? Smith Magnet Elementary ? Centennial Campus Magnet Middle ? East Millbrook Magnet Middle ? Wake Forest Magnet Elementary ? Wildwood Forest Magnet Elementary ? East Wake Magnet High ? Wendell Magnet Elementary & Middle ? Zebulon Magnet Elementary & Middle These schools offer specialized academic opportunities that attract students from across the district. Without federal support, many of these unique programs could be eliminated, limiting educational options for all families. Schools at risk include: Read more here: https://ow.ly/jbBm50V928y

If the U.S. Department of Education and federal education funding disappears, Wake County Public School System students and families will suffer. Federal Title I funding supports schools with a high percentage of low-income families. WCPSS receives $28 million for Title I schools and Pre-K programs, ensuring students from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to qualified teachers, academic interventions, and essential resources. Losing this funding would leave some of Wake’s most vulnerable students without the support they need to succeed. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/efY_Jaa8