Why is literacy so crucial?

Simply put, investing in early literacy is an investment in lifelong success. The data overwhelmingly supports the idea that proficiency in reading by the 3rd grade is a predictor of future academic achievement. By addressing literacy at its foundation, we are laying the groundwork for success throughout a child's academic journey.

• 71% of Haverhill third graders are either not or only partially meeting expectations on their reading assessments. 

• 60% of low-income families have no children’s books in the home.

• 70% of children whose parents have low literacy will likely be at the lowest reading levels in their grade. 

• A child who has not learned to read well by the end of third grade is 4 times more likely to dropout of high school, and if you add poverty the dropout rates multiply by 13.

Add your signature to get behind the grade level reading campaign, because together we can make a difference. 

Signatories

Senator Pavel Payano, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Massachusetts State Representative, Andy X. Vargas

Massachusetts State Representative, Ryan Hamilton, 15th Essex

Thomas J. Sullivan, Esq., President, Haverhill City Council

John Michitson, Haverhill City Council

Timothy Jordan, Haverhill City Council

Melissa J. Lewandowski, Haverhill City Council

Catherine Rogers, Haverhill City Council

Devan Ferreira, Haverhill City Council

Katrina Hobbs Everett, Haverhill City Council

Colin LePage - Haverhill City Councilor

Yonnie Collins, FNP-C, RN & Haverhill School Committee Ward 6

Mikaela Lalumier, Haverhill School Committee

Erica Diaz, Haverhill School Committee

Rich Rosa, Haverhill School Committee, Haverhill Promise Steering Committee Member

Dianne Connolly, Haverhill Promise Steering Committee President

Jeff LeBlanc, Bentley University, Haverhill Promise Steering Committee President Elect

Beatriz Torres, Haverhill Promise Steering Committee Member

Shanyn Toulouse, Haverhill Promise Steering Committee Member

Kerry Beaton, Haverhill Promise Steering Committee Member

Sasha Severino, Haverhill Promise Steering Committee Member

Alexandria Eberhardt, Greater Haverhill Chamber

Lisa Marzilli

Brian Hough

Christina Minicucci

Kaleigh Paré Shaughnessy, Whittier Birthplace

Tracy Fuller, Haverhill YMCA

Katrina Delaney

Renee McGuirk

Jerubi Romero

Andrea Watson founder Lead Free MA a Project of Hearts Undivided

Jan Williams, Buttonwoods Museum

Maggie van Galen, Author of King’s Day Out

Meghan O’Brien, Good & Golden Books

Joanna Corea, Haverhill Public Library

John Maddox

Principal Jen Rubera Walnut Square School

Tim Coco

Janel D'Agata-Lynch, Anna Jaques Hospital

Irene Collins

Alison Colby-Campbell

Elaine Barker, Paper Potpourri

J. Martinoli and Sons

Michelle Shuster

Nicole Powers HPS Literacy Coach

Walter Rivers

Victoria Hernandez-Bailey, Haverhill Public Schools

Lisbeth Valdez, Community Action, Inc. MakeIT Haverhill

Lisa DeMeo

Dougan Sherwood, Murdock5 Management

Suzette DiTonno, Pentucket Lake Elementary, 3rd grade teacher

Jenny Arndt

Erin Padilla, Creative Haverhill

Julie DeMarco LaPorta

Julie Berthiaume, ELA Teacher, JG Whittier Middle School

Suzanne Gates

Nathan Hartwell

Michael Joy

Gary Bradley

Barbara Canyes, Interim Executive Director, Ruth's House

Lauren Barbieri

Christine Kwitchoff

Angelo R Memmolo, A&M Autobody Inc.

Lacey Sampson

Margaret Leavitt

Caitlin Little