We recently received a Best Bet grant application from two retired teachers who both serve as officers for the Peabody Federation of Teachers. Former Reading Specialist, Barbara Brown and retired elementary teacher Patricia Nizwantowski who is currently employed as a Title 1 reading teacher at the Welch School, are partnering with the Salem Teachers’ Union in hopes of securing grant money to fund a new program. The program is entitled ‘First Book’ and the main focus is to provide books to both teachers and students throughout the city in order to strengthen the literacy skills of students by giving them access to the tools and resources needed for success. Another goal of the program will be to foster a love of reading in all children.

The Peabody Education Foundation is proud to make a $1,000 donation to this great new program in hopes of helping to bring over 20,000 books to our students and classrooms libraries!