For many children in the Erie region, especially from low-income households, the summer months don’t include reading or continuing education activities. This results in a loss of achievement for children who then start off the next school year with learning losses from the previous year. This loss is called the “summer slide.”
A study by Johns Hopkins University shows that by the end of fifth grade, low-income children fall more than two years behind their middle-class peers on verbal achievement, which often leads to poor performance in school and dropping out before high school graduation.
That's why United Way of Erie County is promoting the support of students at community schools through an initiative called "Community Schools Drive: New Books for Summer Reading."
If you would like to support the overall drive with a monetary gift, please donate here. (Please put "CS Drive" in the comments when submitting your online donation.).
If you would like to buy new books or other new school items for children you can do so by ordering through Amazon and having them delivered directly to the school or dropoff at the following schools on the following days:
Diehl Elementary School
2327 Fairmount Pkwy, Erie PA 16510
Dropoff: May 3-May 14
Check out Diehl's Book Wishlist for the 21-22 school year! Items can be delivered to Diehl’s front office from 8 AM-3 PM, Monday-Friday.
Edison Elementary School
1921 E. Lake Road, Erie PA 16511
Dropoff: May 6 and May 7 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. or by appointment. Call 814-460-6278 to arrange an appointment.
Seeking books with diverse authors and diverse characters. Additional items include toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectant wipes and spray, dish soap, shampoo, soap, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products.
Harding Elementary School
820 Lincoln Avenue, Erie PA 16505
Dropoff: May 13 from 2:30-5:30 PM or May 14 from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Seeking diverse books such as I Can Read Leveled Books, and series books including: Zoey and Sassafras, Who Was, Ivy and Bean, Frog and Toad, Amelia Bedelia, Pete the Cat, Waldameer Mysteries, A-Z Mysteries, Magic School Bus, DogMan, Captain Underpants, Diary of Wimpy Kid, Junie B. Jones. Also books by authors Roald Dahl, Mo Willems, Kevin Henkes, Dav Pilkey and Judy Blume. Check out Harding's Amazon Wishlist items for the 21-22 school year.
McKinley Elementary School
933 E. 22nd Street, Erie PA 16503
Dropoff: April 30 - May 7
Seeking books with a focus on diversity. Check out McKinley's Amazon Wishlist items for 21-22 school year.
Perry Elementary School
955 W 29th St, Erie, PA 16508
Dropoff: 7:45 AM-3:15 PM Monday- Friday May 3 - May 28. To schedule a drop off outside of school hours or if pick up is required, please contact Michelle Kephart at 814-460-4846.
In addition to books, looking to fulfill Teacher Wish List items in preparation for 21-22 School Year.
Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School
235 E. 11th Street, Erie PA 16503
Dropoff: 8 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday, April 30 - May 7. To schedule a drop off outside of school hours, contact Meghan Easter at 814-874-6750.
Seeking books with diverse authors and diverse characters. Check out PB's Amazon Teacher Wishlist for 21-22 school year.
Strong Vincent Middle School
1330 W. 8th Street Erie, PA 16502
Dropoff: April 30 - May 7
See teacher wish list items here. If you would like to support Strong Vincent by fulfilling a teacher wishlist item that is a subscription please contact Katrina Byrd at 814-440-9206.
Elk Valley Elementary School
2556 Maple Ave, Lake City, PA 16423
Dropoff: April 30 - May 7
Check out EVE's Amazon Teacher Wishlist items for 21-22 school year.
Iroquois Elementary School
4231 Morse Street, Erie, PA 16511
Dropoff: April 30 - May 30
In addition to new books, looking to fulfill the following needs: 24 ct crayons, 16 ct crayons, 2 pocket folders with and without prongs and pink erasers. Check out Iroquois's Amazon Wishlist for 21-22 school year.
