County youth grants announced
A dozen elementary schools and pre-school programs will share $4,500 in county youth grant money to develop and support reading programs.
The School, Parent and Reading Connection (SPARC) grants encourage home-based literacy by centering on reading as a family activity.
"This is one way of offering support to parents and children to develop an appreciation for reading at an early age," said Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
Grant recipients this year include Lindbergh, Schenk, Glendale, Sandburg, Gompers and Crestwood elementary schools in Madison, Marshall elementary school in Marshall, Yahara elementary school in Stoughton, Black Earth elementary school in Black Earth, Red Arrow Trail Headstart in Madison and Sun Prairie nursery school in Sun Prairie.
Since it's start in 1996, SPARC has helped sustain reading programs at more than 60 elementary and 30 pre-schools in Dane County.
