6.24 APS Police Partners with Fathers Incorporated's "Real Dads Read" Mobile Summer Reading Initiative

 

 

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

APS POLICE DEPARMENT PARTNERS WITH FATHERS INCORPORATED’S ‘REAL DADS READ’ MOBILE SUMMER READING INITIATIVE

 

WHO:                Kenneth Braswell, CEO, Fathers Incorporated, Chief Ronald Applin, Atlanta Public Schools Police Department (APS PD).

 

WHAT:              APS PD officers will place Mobile Summer Reading Initiative decals on, and load cases of books into, designated APS PD cars.

 

WHEN:              Wednesday, June 24th from 1pm – 2pm

 

WHERE:            APD POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS – 155 Garnett Street, Atlanta GA

 

In an effort to encourage literacy and counter a decrease in reading and math skills due to COVID-19 school closures, the APS Police Department and Fathers Incorporated will roll out “Real Dads Read” mobile units providing reading materials to children in various Atlanta neighborhoods. The designation of police cars and unloading of books will take place on Wednesday, June 24th from 12pm – 1pm, at APS PD headquarters. Chief Applin and Fathers Incorporated CEO Kenneth Braswell will be available for interviews.

 

According to a report by Northwest Evaluation Association, COVID-19 school closures have resulted in students losing 30% of reading gains and 50% of math skills.

 

Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated explains, “With over 100 literacy centers currently in Metro Atlanta and Columbus, GA, we believe that this partnership will assist us in continuing to keep children reading and engaged with academic material throughout the summer.”

 

“This program will expand further our officers’ commitment to our District’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative, and strengthen the relationships we have built with our students and community members,” said Chief Applin. “At the same time, and just as importantly, it will help our students keep their literacy skills sharp over the summer.”

 

Media interested in interviewing should contact Tamika Morrison at tmorrison@fathersincorporated.com for Fathers Incorporated or Seth Coleman at Seth.Coleman@atlanta.k12.ga.us for Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta Public Schools Police.

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About Fathers Incorporated

Established in 2004, Fathers Incorporated (FI) works collaboratively with organizations around the country to identify and advocate for social and legislative changes that lead to healthy father involvement with children, regardless of the father's marital or economic status, or geographic location. For more information, please visit www.fathersincorporated.com.

 

About Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta Public Schools Police

Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 52,000 students across 87 schools. The District is organized into nine K-12 clusters with 58 traditional schools, 18 charter schools, six partner schools, two citywide single-gender academies and three alternative programs. The District created its own police department in 2016. The more than 70 officers on the force are specially trained to work with children. Along with their enforcement duties, they serve as mentors, caregivers and role models. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, follow us on social media – Twitter (@apsupdate), Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at www.atlantapublicschools.us.