MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. – More than 850 elementary school students from Somerville and Medford are expected to attend Tufts Hillel's 12th annual "Read by the River" education fair, taking place Sunday, March 13, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. in the Gantcher Center at Tufts University. Former New England Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins, a member of the 2001 Super Bowl XXXVI winning team, will be in attendance to read to the crowd.
WHAT:
Developed to promote the importance of early childhood literacy, volunteers from Tufts University and the surrounding area will bring students together for this afternoon celebration. The theme of this year's fair, "The Magical World of Reading," will include 25 booths set up with games, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt and bean bag toss. Students will have the opportunity to turn in book reports (see www.readbytheriver.org) to receive free books and movie passes. Students are also encouraged to bring new and gently used kids' clothing to the event. Representatives from the organization Cradles to Crayons will be on hand to teach the kids about the importance of giving back to the community.
WHO:
- Students in kindergarten through fifth grade (more than 850 expected to attend)
- Former New England Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins (scheduled to appear at 1 p.m.)
- 200 + volunteers from Tufts University, the fire department from the city of Medford and the Medford library
WHEN:
Sunday, March 13, 2011, from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
WHERE:
Tufts University, Gantcher Center, 161 College Avenue, Medford, Mass.
SPONSORS:
"Read by the River" is a Tufts Hillel initiative that is made possible by many sponsors, including the New England Patriots, National Amusements, Scholastic, City of Medford, Medford fire and police departments, and the City of Somerville. Local books stores, Scholastic and Tufts students have donated books for the event and National Amusements has donated free movie passes.
Tufts University, located on three Massachusetts campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville, and Grafton, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all campuses, and collaboration among the faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university is widely encouraged.
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