IRA, Rotary debut “Every School a Star”

Everyone wants to be an American Idol or have a few minutes of fame on America’s Got Talent. Now there’s a way schools can become “Stars,” too.

In their latest joint venture, the International Reading Association (IRA) and Rotary International (RI) have developed “Every School a Star,” a Web-based resource designed to help Rotary clubs and IRA reading councils cooperate on literacy projects.

Available in English at www.rotary.org, the “Literacy Tool Kit includes examples of successful club and district literacy projects, needs assessment questionnaires, and a teachers’ wish list. There are links to contact information, resources, and service opportunities, as well as guidelines for working with local Rotary clubs and reading councils. What makes these projects so attractive is that they are affordable, attainable, and successful.

The projects have been divided into four categories: donations/funding, education/awareness, literacy events/celebrations, and volunteers/mentors. There also is a section explaining how to incorporate literacy elements into other types of service projects.

Rotary International is a worldwide organization of 32,000 clubs comprising business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build good will and peace in the world.