In support of the School District’s “Moonshot Moment 90% literacy goal,” Dr. Susie O’Toole, Island Pediatrics in Vero Beach, Florida, and The Learning Alliance have coordinated to bring the Nemours BrightStart! Team to Vero Beach during Literacy Week, September 12 through 14, 2013 to provide free reading readiness screenings and training.  The Press is invited to attend any of these events, and to learn more about this initiative where the medical community is supporting the School District of Indian River County’s Moonshot Moment 90% literacy goal.

Dr. Susie O’Toole, Island Pediatrics, is now part of the Nemours medical system.  She has coordinated to bring the Nemours BrightStart! Team to Indian River County during Literacy Week to provide the following free support services.

ACTIVITIES:

Thursday, September 12

Full-Day:  The Nemours BrightStart! Reading Readiness team will be at pediatrician Dr. Susan O’Toole’s office, Island Pediatrics, to perform free developmental screenings of children ages 3-5 years old.  Screenings are available by appointment.  Press invited for a photo opportunity at 1:00 p.m.

5:30 – 8:00 p.m.: Dr. Laura Bailet, Executive Director of Nemours BrightStart!  will be at Quail Valley to conduct a continuing education dinner for physicians and their staff. The topic will be Current Science and Practical Tools for Physicians to Promote Childhood Reading Success.  5:30 pm Cocktails; 6:00 – 8:00 Presentation.

Friday, September 13

7:45-11:30 a.m.  The Nemours BrightStart! team will be conducting developmental readiness screenings at Citrus Elementary School for pre-school aged children.  Screenings will be conducted in the 20’ mobile classroom van and in the school’s classroom as well.  Screenings are open to the public, and appointments can be scheduled through the Citrus Elementary office.

12:30-1:30 p.m. Nemours BrightStart! team to provide free Early Literacy Parent Workshop at Vero Beach Elementary for parents of preschoolers.

4:30-5:30 p.m.  Reading and the Brain, Teacher Training led by Nemours BrightStart! Executive Director Dr. Laura Bailet, held at Vero Beach Elementary School.  Open to all School District of Indian River county staff.  Press are invited to participate.

Saturday, September 14

10 a.m.- 1 p.m.  The BrightStart! bus will be at Indian River Soccer Association’s Family Fun Day to provide literacy information and to join “Moonshot Sports” for book giveaways to children.

3-5 p.m.  Moonshot Moment Sports hosts a Family Pizza Party at Gifford Youth Activity Center with sports demonstrations, raffle prizes, book giveaways, FREE pizza and Kindergarten readiness tips from Nemours BrightStart!

For Additional Information:
Anabelle Keipper of Nemours, Anabelle.Keipper@nemours.org, 407-650-7630; Dr. Susie O’Toole, drsusie2000@aol.com;
and Marie O’Brien, for The Learning Alliance,  marie.obrien@philanthropy360.com       Phone: 772.532.1968