EARLY LEARNING &
READING NETWORK

The Early Learning & Reading Network is dedicated to ensuring 100 percent enrollment in TPS preschools, meeting all six developmental skills entering kindergarten, and reading proficiently by the end of third grade.

The Day You Begin

Tacoma Reads

Books are meant to be enjoyed and read aloud! Gather with the whole family and hear Senator T’wina Nobles read The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson, a selected title from the Tacoma Public Library’s Tacoma Reads program. 

 

From Penguin Random House, National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.

WHAT WE DO

Increase Access to Early Supports

Help build pathways for early learning success resulting in expanding Play to Learn, a free program by Greentrike for adults and their children to play together, into Tacoma's Eastside and South End communities.

Support Early Development

Host bi-annual training opportunities for parents, caregivers, childcare providers, and teachers to support children in key competencies of the WaKids and school readiness. Building Connections has provided nearly 1,500 professional development hours since 2015.

Promote Healthy Reading Habits

Connect students to books from Book to Home delivery during summer and spring breaks and provide free books to neighborhood barbers who predominantly serve boys of color through the Books to Barbershops initiative

NETWORKLEADERSHIP

Wendy Holcomb

ELRN Manager | Foundation for Tacoma Students

Michelle Rahl-Lewis

Program Specialist | Tacoma Public Schools

Angie Neville

Curriculum & Instruction Director | Tacoma Public Schools

Alyssa Torrez

Community Engagement Manager | KBTC Public Television

Phoebe Anderson

Chief Operations Officer | Child Care Resources

Alyssa Tongue

Learning Experiences Director | Greentrike

Jamie Mittan

Librarian | Tacoma Public Library