School Name:Alternative Schools Naples: Beacon, Pheonix, New Beginnings, TAP
Grant Request Grade:Pre-K K-12
Grant Request Subject:Language Arts
Additional Details
The primary goal of "Building a Library, One SSYRA Book at a Time," is to establish a centralized library for New Beginnings Naples Alternative School where students can check out books just as they would at their home schools. Currently, each classroom maintains its own small library, limiting student access and independence. A shared library will provide access to high-quality literature, such as Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) books, while promoting responsibility, independence, and a positive reading culture. Because our students attend an alternative school due to behavioral challenges, this project will provide authentic opportunities to practice school expectations, make independent choices, and build routines that support a successful transition back to their home schools. Students in grades 2–5 will demonstrate comprehension by taking Accelerated Reader (AR) quizzes, allowing them to monitor their progress and celebrate their reading achievements. Ultimately, this project will strengthen literacy skills, increase reading engagement, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
At the beginning of the school year, teachers will introduce the Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) program through first-chapter read-alouds to generate excitement and help students select books for independent reading. Students will participate in scheduled library visits to browse, check out, and read books of their choice before demonstrating comprehension through reading activities and assessments. They will also follow book return timelines, providing opportunities to practice responsibility, organization, time management, and goal-setting while reinforcing the routines and expectations they will encounter when transitioning back to their home schools. Through consistent access to engaging literature and structured library experiences, students will strengthen literacy skills, build positive reading habits, and develop a greater appreciation for reading.
If this project is funded, students will demonstrate increased reading engagement, improved responsibility with borrowed materials, and growth in reading comprehension through access to a centralized library of engaging Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) titles. Progress will be measured using Accelerated Reader (AR) data, book checkout and on-time return records, student discussions about reading, and teacher observations of students' responsibility, organization, and independent reading behaviors. Success will be reflected in increased participation in reading activities, improved comprehension, and students' growth as confident, independent readers.
The requested funds will purchase the complete 2026–2027 Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) collection (45 titles: 15 each for grades K–2, 3–5, and 6–8) for New Beginnings – Naples at an estimated cost of $525.81. These books will establish a centralized library that provides students in grades 1–8 with access to high-quality, age-appropriate literature while promoting independent book selection, responsibility, and positive library habits. Prices are estimates based on current vendor pricing; minor adjustments to the final order may be necessary due to changes in cost or availability before funds are distributed.
