OMAHA, Neb., USA – Scooter’s Coffee has partnered with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) to encourage fourth-grade students across Frisco and North Texas to read. Also, a special prize is in store for a group of fourth-grade students: an unforgettable experience with free tickets for them and a parent or guardian to the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl on Tuesday, December 19, at Toyota Stadium.
According to RIF, the nation’s leading children’s literacy nonprofit, 25 million children in the U.S. cannot read proficiently (based on the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores), which prevents them from achieving success in school and realizing their dreams. In addition, 20% of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage. RIF is addressing the alarming U.S. literacy crisis by inspiring the joy of reading in children, a critical element to driving the frequency, motivation and engagement needed to create skilled readers.
In November, during book celebration events at J.W. & Ruth Christie Elementary School, Carroll Elementary School and Edris Elliott Elementary School, RIF kicked off a reading challenge for their fourth-grade students. Each student was encouraged to read 100 books throughout the month and log the books they read. The goal of the challenge was to get students excited about reading since 70% of Texas fourth-grade students are not reading at a proficient level. Building proficiency in reading provides a foundation for lifelong opportunity.
RIF holds a special place in the heart of Scooter’s Coffee President Joe Thornton, who is a published author with a passion for reading. Thornton is a member of RIF’s Board of Directors and believes the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl is a natural fit to promote literacy and reward students for their achievements in reading.
“Every child deserves the chance to succeed. Learning to read at a young age can disrupt the literacy crisis and bridge an inability gap by sparking imaginations and possibilities,” said Thornton. “The Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl amplifies the positive impact of college football and how the bowl is making a difference through education, leadership and community engagement. Our partnership with Reading Is Fundamental allows us to engage with youth across Frisco and North Texas and inspire the joy of reading to help students achieve success in school and in all areas of life.”
Between November 9-30, 2023, fourth-grade students from Christie Elementary School read the most books, totaling 876 books. Each fourth-grade student from the school, and their parent or guardian, will be invited to attend the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl for free along with school faculty.
“I am so proud of the Christie fourth-grade students for achieving this accomplishment,” said Alisha McShan, Principal of Christie Elementary. “Reading is the foundation of all learning and held in utmost importance at Christie Elementary. The commitment of our students to this reading challenge exemplifies their commitment to reading to become life-long learners.”
Christie Elementary School students and faculty, who will be sporting custom Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl t-shirts, will be recognized at the game during a special check presentation. Scooter’s Coffee will present a $64,000 check donation to Reading Is Fundamental to help its literacy mission.
“I am thrilled to kick off our partnership with Scooter’s Coffee and can’t think of a better way to celebrate our collective mission to inspire the joy of reading than by providing books and reading sources to children in Texas,” said Alicia Levi, President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental. “Having students who won our reading contest be a part of the tradition and excitement of the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Tune into the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl live on ESPN, Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Visit thefriscobowl.com for more details about the game and to purchase tickets.
