A BUZZ IS BUILDING FOR THE DISTRICT´S
´LET´S B SAFE´ PROGRAM

(Bradenton, FL - April 11, 2008) “Let´s B Safe” is the name of a book and a brand new program which helps introduce district first graders to literacy and child safety procedures in a unique and attention-grabbing way. The program was initiated by Dawn Lengel of the district´s Community Relations Department and is being funded by Community Partners.

An orientation breakfast to kickoff the “Let´s B Safe” program will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at Freedom Village, from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Freedom Village is located at 6501 17th Ave. W. The orientation breakfast is for the Community Partners and more than 120 volunteer readers who will read the books to first-grade students at 22 district elementary schools on the mornings of April 22-24, 2008. Following every reading, each student will receive a copy of the “Let´s B Safe” book, a bookmark and a plush “Be Safe Bee,” the book´s mascot, to keep as their own.

“Everyone who is participating in this program is helping us to make a difference in the lives of students, parents and teachers in Manatee County,” Lengel said. “They´re making a difference by promoting the importance of literacy, child safety, family involvement and community service.”

The “Let´s B Safe” book is authored by Brenda Zofrea and illustrated by Andrea Geller. It tells the colorful story of a friendly bumblebee who teaches a group of young children important rules to keep them safe and healthy. In addition to teaching kids important safety tips, the book also helps young children with phonemic awareness (how words sound) and promotes parental involvement by asking parents to read the book to their children on a regular basis.

Business partners who have made this program possible include: NDC Construction Company; Sarasota Ford; Blake Medical Center; Turner Tree and Landscape; First Church of God; Tech Data;, Valentine & Kebartas, Inc.; Karen Depraida, Realtor, Century 21 Advantage; Galati Yacht Sales; Tropicana Federal Credit Union; Horizon Bank; Ballard Elementary; Kinnan Elementary; Freedom Elementary; The Bradenton Herald; Office Max; AXA Equitable; Freedom Village and the Manatee County Sheriff´s Office.

Guest speakers at Tuesday´s orientation breakfast include Superintendent Dr. Roger Dearing, Dawn Lengel, Brenda Zofrea and a representative of the Sheriff´s Office.

###

RETURN TO MEDIA RELEASES ARCHIVE