Does the price vary depending on the size of school?

No.  School sponsorship amounts are based on the average elementary school having 500 students.  So any differences in school enrollment will be amortized across adopted schools around the country to cover memberships for every child.

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What is going to the school?

Each adopted school will receive physical books, reading resources, and parent engagement tools. A Scholastic Reading Oasis includes hundreds of books (with a particular focus on Pre-K through 3rd grade), a listening library with headphones and audio books, colorful carpets, and bean bag chairs. In addition, students will receive an annual membership to Club Connect (UnitedWayClubConnect.org), a mobile-friendly site for kids that promotes reading and doing good in the community. Students can participate in fun and educational games, watch celebrity book readings, read e-books, listen to audio-books, and check out great book suggestions and lists. Every parent will get frequent email messaging about the importance of reading as well as coupons or other incentives for participating in the program. And a significant portion of every donation will go towards funding United Way early education initiatives...which benefit all of the students and families in the community.

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How can I or my employees volunteer?

Community volunteers are determined by state and district guidelines, but we value mentoring and community involvement.  Your local United Way or Club Connect team will work together with the school to determine their specific guidelines regarding volunteering within the school.

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How can I deepen my commitment to the school over multiple years?

We encourage you to become a sponsor and invest in a school for multiple years.  A multiple year relationship with a school not only provides continued resources they so desperately need, but also allows an opportunity for you to form a bond with those students in your community and see the great progress that students are able to make thanks to your contribution. If you agreed to sponsor a school initially for a one year commitment, please contact either your Local United Way or Club Connect team that helped coordinate your sponsorship to deepen your commitment to more than one year. Reading is a skill that students will continue to master throughout their education and your investment can help make that possible.

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Is my sponsorship tax deductible?

Sponsoring a school through the United Way Club Connect Adopt-a-School program is tax deductible if an investor writes it off as a charitable donation.  

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How can I budget for this sponsorship?

An organization can sponsor a school using marketing dollars or philanthropic dollars.  Since there is a naming opportunity with the Reading Oasis, many sponsors may opt to spend money out of their marketing budget. 

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What does the Reading Oasis include?

• Hundreds of books for grades K-3
• Listening library
• Book cases
• Colorful bean bag chairs
• Reading themed carpet
• Stereo Listening Center with 4 Headphones

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How many books does the school receive?

An adopted elementary school will receive 430 books for grades K-3 and a middle school will receive 450 books for grades 6-8.

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How will my sponsorship be recognized?

Sponsors will receive recognition through a plaque displayed in the School’s Reading Oasis along with a possible opportunity for branding the donated books and publicity.  In many communities there are additional opportunities for recognition depending on the events that are determined with the school.

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Do I get to choose the school?

If you have an existing relationship with a school and a preference of which school you would like adopted than we try to allow you to choose as long as the school is receptive.  However, if there is not a particular school you have in mind, your local United Way has identified schools in your community with the most need.  Often we have worked with the local school district and principal’s association to make sure we are targeting the schools who can benefit the most.

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Could I adopt an elementary or middle school?

Both elementary and middle schools are eligible for adoption, though we have focused on elementary schools for the most part given the importance of early grade reading.

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Is there a limit to the number of schools I can adopt?

There is no limit to the number of schools that can be adopted.  We would love to see entire communities benefit from this fabulous program.

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What makes Club Connect unique?

Club Connect is multi-faceted and speaks to the needs of the child through physical books and the website to engage them online with an assortment of reading opportunities and activities.  Students have the chance to nurture a love of reading both in school through the Reading Oasis and any other time through the Club Connect website.  This is a unique collaboration between NAESP and United Way and provides an opportunity to see the work of United Way while engaging the entire family.

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Is there an option for a STEM focus for the books in the Reading Oasis?

Yes, we can add more books with a specific STEM focus for an additional donation.  Just make sure to let Club Connect or your United Way team know.

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Does Club Connect support Common Core Standards?

Not directly, but there is significant evidence that access to books is integral to the learning process to set children up for success in life. This is not a metric based program, but is meant to support an existing school or United Way program.

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How frequently can I expect to receive newsletters?

Parents can anticipate receiving a newsletter once a month with valuable offers.
You will hear from us more frequently in the summer as a part of our effort to support you and your child in summer reading.

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How do I receive coupons?

Coupons and other special offers will be sent to you in your monthly email, so if you would like to receive them you will need to make sure that when you are registering your child you opt into receiving communications from us.

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What can my child expect to find on the Club Connect website?

Club Connect is devoted to inspiring a love of reading and commitment to giving back. Your child has the opportunity to enjoy fun, literacy-focused games, author
interviews, celebrity book readings, a selection of books available to read online or on mobile devices and e-readers. All in a safe environment, carefully screened by our advisory board. 

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How long is my membership valid?

Your membership is valid for one year from the date of online registration. When your membership is up for renewal, you will receive several email reminders.

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How do I renew my child's membership?

When your account is up for renewal, you will receive several reminder e-mails. Click the link in that email to purchase another year of membership.

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Where do I register my child?

You will receive either a card or a registration code from your school, you can go to https://unitedwayclubconnect.org/members/register/ to register your child(ren). 

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How do I redeem my child’s membership if I have been given a code from the school?

Go to https://unitedwayclubconnect.org/members/register/ and fill out the registration form. Under payment, there is a field for the promotion code that the school provided you. Once you’ve entered it into the field you can click on the apply code button. You can click on the register button once the other required information is entered. Your child is now registered for Club Connect. 

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I have a great story about kids giving back to their community. How can I submit it to be featured on the site?

We would love to hear from you! Please email us at [email protected]. Be  sure to include your name, email address, story background, relevant pictures and/or
video (Vimeo links only). We cannot accept submissions from anyone under 18. All submissions must be made by a parent or guardian. 

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How can my child submit his or her story to be featured on the site?

We would love to hear from you! Please email us at [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, email address, story background, relevant pictures and/or video (YouTube links only).

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How do I contact customer service?

You can call us at (703) 828-7647or email [email protected].  We will respond to your outreach within the next business day. 

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What happens once my child graduates from their current school?

If you choose to renew your membership online and choose the same school from the drop-down menu on the registration page, the school will receive a portion of the sale of your membership. However, if your child attends a new school that is also participating in the Club Connect program, and you opt to select the new school during registration instead, your child’s new school will receive a portion instead.

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Can my child access Club Connect on mobile devices?

Yes they can! The Club Connect website was designed to be used on tablets and other mobile devices as well as computers. 

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What if a family doesn’t have a computer at home? How will they receive the coupons?

Families who do not have computers at home have several options to access the coupons.  These include using the free computers at public libraries and checking with their child’s school about using their computers.  In addition, parents can look into using the computers at other public schools or at community organizations.  If none of these resources are viable for a family, we will work with the local United Way in their community to find a solution. 

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Who is monitoring the website?

We have an advisory board made up of principals from the National Association of Elementary School Principals and United Way education executives who both guide and monitor the site’s content. We are very committed to creating a safe and nurturing online environment for children. Should you see anything you consider objectionable, please email us at info@unitedwayclubconnect.org and we will review the material. 

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What is the NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals) Foundation?

The NAESP Foundation provides principals in your state with continued education and enrichment courses, with the goal of training better school leaders and improving the quality of education nationwide.  The NAESP, which includes both elementary and middle school principals, has a membership base that represents 33 million children between Pre-K and 8th grade. 

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What is United Way?

United Way is the largest philanthropic, non-profit organization in the country.  United Way is a trusted partner in over 1,200 local communities in the United States.  Through its thought-leadership and funding of 10,000 local non-profit agencies dedicated to children, United Way has a long-standing commitment to education and helping kids succeed in school and in life.  United Way is strongly dedicated to making a difference in the quality of education, and Club Connect will help promote children's’ literacy levels in a fun way, which is instrumental to their success in school.

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How do I find my local United Way?

Go to: http://apps.unitedway.org/myuw/ and click on your state to list all of the local United Ways in that state.  Then select the local United Way serving the community closest to you.

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How is this different from the current United Way campaigns running in schools?

In this campaign, all monies raised for United Way will be used to support educational programs and your school directly benefits from the Reading Oasis, Club Connect memberships, and parent messaging.

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What if my local United Way is already doing a similar program to promote literacy in schools?

United Way is dedicated to making a difference in the quality of education across America, and Club Connect will help promote children's’ literacy levels in a fun way, which is instrumental to their success in school.  Club Connect will not take away from existing programs.  On the contrary, it will work synergistically to support and expand existing local initiatives to ultimately benefit the children.   

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If my school is adopted, what does my adoption include?

Each adopted school will receive physical books, reading resources, and parent engagement tools. A Scholastic Reading Oasis includes hundreds of books (with a particular focus on Pre-K through 3rd grade), a listening library with headphones and audio books, colorful carpets, and bean bag chairs. In addition, students will receive an annual membership to Club Connect (UnitedWayClubConnect.org), a mobile-friendly site for kids that promotes reading and doing good in the community. Students can participate in fun and educational games, watch celebrity book readings, read e-books, listen to audio-books, and check out great book suggestions and lists. Every parent will get frequent email messaging about the importance of reading as well as coupons or other incentives for participating in the program.

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What is the timeline for fulfillment of adoption?

We will work with your school to determine a timeline that works best for you.The materials for the Reading Oasis take 8-10 weeks to arrive and Club Connect membership codes can be distributed as soon as the day after the materials are ordered. 

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How does my school become eligible for the Adopt-a-School Program?

Title 1 elementary schools are eligible for sponsorship through the Adopt-a-School Program.  In order to be considered for the program, request to be adopted directly through this our website or through your Local United  Way. 

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How do I explain this program to my parents?

Once your school has been adopted, we will provide you with a letter and flyers that you can send home to inform parents about the program.  We recommend informing all of your staff about the wonderful benefits and coordinating times when students can enjoy the Reading Oasis.  Many schools have chosen to time a Ribbon Cutting around an existing event where they unveil the Reading Oasis to families and have computers set up for families to register their children for United Way Club Connect on site.  If you are not able to provide an opportunity for parents to register their students for the website, the letter and flyer will both explain step by step instructions on the very simple process of register for the free membership online.  Some schools may prefer to have teachers set up the accounts for  their students as well.

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What happens after the first year?

We hope to have sponsors commit to adopt a school for multiple years to continue to enhance each child’s reading experience.  In the event that your school is only adopted for one year, then the school or parents have the option to renew each child’s Club Connect membership at a cost of $15 for another year.  Of this $15, $5 is kept by the school to apply towards more books or to be used at your discretion where it will benefit your school the most. The Scholastic Reading Oasis will remain in the school.

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Does the size of my school affect sponsorship?

No.  School sponsorship numbers are based on the average elementary school having 500 students.  So any differences in school enrollment will be amortized across adopted schools around the country to cover memberships for every child.

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What is the school’s commitment with the Club Connect Adopt-a-School program?

Please find the list of steps to follow here:

http://unitedwayclubconnect.org/educators/

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How do people obtain coupons?

Members can access these coupons at any time by visiting UnitedWayClubConnect.org/coupons. Please note, you must be logged into the website to access this page.

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How do I contact customer service?

Please email [email protected] for any questions.

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How do I contact customer service?

Please email [email protected] for any questions.

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How do the coupon offers work?

We have partnered with top brands to offer Club Connect members great coupons and discounts as our way of saying thank you! The coupon offers will be updated monthly. Our brand partner coupons are available at the top of our coupon page (link, please note you must be logged into the site to access). Below those offers are other great coupons courtesy of Coupons.com. You will need to download their coupon printer to print these coupons.

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For how long is my membership valid?

Your membership is valid for one year from the date of online registration. When your membership is up for renewal, you will receive several email reminders.

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How do I renew my membership?

When your account is up for renewal, you will receive several reminder e-mails. Click the link in that email to purchase another year of membership.

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What can I expect to see on the site?

We have inspiring stories of ordinary kids doing great things in their communities, celebrity book readings, author interviews, awesome TV shows, great music videos, fun games and suggestions for how kids can get involved and give back.

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United Way's Work

http://www.unitedway.org/our-work/
United Way seeks to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.

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To better understand the work of NAESP Foundation go here:

The NAESP Foundation advances excellence, innovation, and equity in schools by endowing leadership and learning for principals for the benefit of all children.

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Additional resources about early grade reading for investors

The Thirty Million Word Gap

http://centerforeducation.rice.edu/slc/LS/30MillionWordGap.html

Reading Proficiency in Early Grades Key to Closing Achievement Gap - New Research Confirms Importance of Reading on Grade Level by Third Grade

http://www.aecf.org/Newsroom/NewsReleases/HTML/2013/ReadingProficiencyKey.aspx

New Research Confirms Third Grade Reading’s Importance

http://eyeonearlyeducation.com/2013/07/09/new-research-confirms-third-grade-readings-importance/

The Annie E Casey Foundation Report

http://www.aecf.org/~/media/Pubs/Topics/Education/Other/EarlyWarningConfirmed/EarlyWarningConfirmed.pdf
 

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