First Lady Crissy Haslam visits public libraries in Weakley, Henry and Carroll Counties and the Benton County Fair to encourage READ20 Family Book Club participation
                             
NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam visited public libraries in Weakley, Henry and Carroll Counties and the Benton County Fair today to promote her READ20 Family Book Club.  During the library visits, Mrs. Haslam encouraged participation in the program by reading to children and donating copies of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, the August Book of the Month, to the library. The First Lady concluded the day at the Benton County Fair where she encouraged participation in her READ20 Family Book Club by distributing copies of Charlotte’s Web to families at the fair.

“Literacy is the most important skill that children need for academic success. When parents engage in their child’s education by reading together for at least 20 minutes each day, students will be significantly more successful in school.”

First Lady Crissy Haslam and Cole Elementary School teachers, administrators and volunteers make door-to-door home visits to encourage strong school-family partnerships
                             
NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam organized a Back to School Neighborhood Knock with Cole Elementary School in Antioch today to encourage strong school-family partnerships. More than 100 Cole Elementary School teachers, administrators and volunteers met Mrs. Haslam at the school this morning to receive training and divide into teams before making door-to-door home visits to the families of each incoming student. During the home visits, Cole Elementary representatives delivered important school information to families, including family engagement tips and resources, and welcomed the students back to school.

“The best support for a child’s academic achievement is parental involvement,” said Mrs. Haslam. “Students are significantly more successful when parents walk alongside teachers and schools by showing interest in what their child is learning and where he or she is struggling. Visiting with families at their home is a great way to encourage partnership and good rapport.”

First Lady Crissy Haslam makes community visits with Dyersburg City School district teachers and faculty to help encourage partnership with the school
                              
NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam joined Dyersburg City Schools today for their first Summer Bus Tour to help encourage parental involvement in the school. Mrs. Haslam and more than 75 Dyersburg City School teachers and faculty traveled throughout the community, making stops at local recreation centers, parks, churches and businesses to visit with Dyersburg children and families. The purpose of the community visits was to help build positive relationships between parent, child and school, encouraging parents to be involved in their child’s education both in the school and at home.

“Children spend 70% of their time outside of the school building, so parental involvement is essential for a child’s academic success,” said Mrs. Haslam.  “Study after study has shown us that student achievement significantly improves when there is a strong school-family partnership.  Visiting with children and families in their own neighborhoods before the school year begins is an excellent way to build partnerships and good rapport early.”

Reading event at Memphis Air National Guard Base to encourage military family participation

NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam visited with approximately 100 military personnel, family members and children at Memphis Air National Guard Base today to recognize their service and sacrifice, and to encourage their participation in the First Lady’s Read20 Family Book Club.  Today’s visit concluded Mrs. Haslam’s promotional events with military families during the month of July.

“I have really enjoyed visiting with Tennessee military families this month,” said Mrs. Haslam. “Military children face the emotional struggle of being separated from a deployed parent and often deal with challenges in education caused by mobility, family separation, and transition. I am honored to be here today to recognize the sacrifices this group makes to serve our state and our country.”

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Reading event at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base to encourage military family participation

NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam visited with approximately 100 military personnel, family members and children at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base today to encourage their participation in the First Lady’s Read20 Family Book Club.  During the month of July, Mrs. Haslam has been visiting military families throughout the state to recognize their service and sacrifice, and to encourage their participation in her Read20 Family Book Club.

“I have really enjoyed meeting some of our Tennessee military and their families this month. This group makes incredible sacrifices to serve our state and our country,” said Mrs. Haslam. “Military children face the emotional struggle of being separated from a deployed parent and bravely deal with issues in education such as mobility, family separation, and transition. I hope that the Read20 Family Book Club will provide another opportunity to for these families to spend fun quality time together.”

Promotional reading event at Fort Campbell Military Installation to encourage military family participation

NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam visited military families and children at Fort Campbell Military Installation today to encourage their participation in the First Lady’s Read20 Family Book Club. 
 
Approximately 125 military personnel, family members and children were present to participate in the First Lady’s Read20 Family Book Club event.  Mrs. Haslam visited with families, read to the children, and distributed free copies of July’s Book of the Month, Judy Moody Declares Independence by Megan McDonald.

“Military and their families make incredible sacrifices.  In addition to the emotional struggle of being separated from a deployed parent, military children bravely deal with issues in education such as mobility, family separation, and transition,” said Mrs. Haslam.  “I am honored to spend time with this group today to recognize their service and sacrifice, and to encourage their involvement with the Read20 Family Book Club.”

Governor and Mrs. Haslam Recognize the Service of Militaryand their Families at Independence Day Picnic
                             
NASHVILLE –Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam hosted Tennessee Military and their families at the Tennessee Residence today for an Independence Day Picnic.  Approximately 200 service members and their families were in attendance to enjoy a picnic lunch, a special performance by contemporary Christian musician, Michael W. Smith, and children’s games and activities.

“On Independence Day, we commemorate the courage our forefathers displayed when they fought for our Nation’s freedom.  Those rights are still being protected every day by our military, and they make incredible sacrifices, including time away from their families,” said Governor Haslam.  “This is a very small gesture, but Crissy and I are grateful that we are able to thank some of our Tennessee Military and their families today.”

Promotional night with the Memphis Redbirds to encourage Tennessee family participation

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam visited the Memphis Redbirds, a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, to promote the First Lady’s Read20 Family Book Club.  As part of the promotional night with the Redbirds, Governor and Mrs. Haslam distributed copies of Andrew Clements’ Frindle, June’s Book of the Month, to the first 200 children to enter the stadium.    
 
“Baseball games are a great place to reach children and families during the summer, so I am grateful the Redbirds allowed me to promote the Read20 Family Book Club with them today,” Mrs. Haslam said.  “The Redbirds also encourage reading through their Rockey’s Rockin Readers program.  I hope that their fans enjoyed a great night at the ballpark and that they took home our message about the importance of early literacy, too.”

First Lady Crissy Haslam thanks company for contributions resulting in free books for
thousands of Middle Tennessee children

NASHVILLE – Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam will be on hand to say “thank you” Wednesday to Nissan North America – a major corporate statewide sponsor of the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation (GBBF) – at an event held at Glen Leven Day School in Nashville. Nissan North America contributed $100,000 to the GBBF for the fiscal year ending July 2012, furthering the company’s legacy of commitment to the cause of early childhood literacy in Middle Tennessee.

Since the inception of the GBBF in 2005, Nissan North America has provided grants totaling over $700,000 to the non-profit foundation. The donated funds are used to provide free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to preschool children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Davidson, Franklin, Rutherford and Williamson counties. By fostering a love of learning and reading, the program helps registered children develop their vocabularies and boost their school readiness.

First Lady participates in United Way’s day to encourage collaborative volunteer efforts for individual and community success

NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam participated in United Way Day of Action today at the Watertown Free Public Library.  This year, the United Ways of Tennessee, the association of 38 United Ways in the state, partnered with the Tennessee State Library and Archives, other state agencies, corporations, and a host of non-profits to encourage participation in the Raise Your Hand Tennessee coalition, a statewide effort to recruit volunteers to read with, tutor, and mentor children.