GRPS 1st Graders Getting a Special Treat

The Grand Rapids Public Schools program Good Things Happen to Readers will celebrate its fourth year this Wednesday, November 8, 2017. And, this year, it will be an extra special celebration for every 1st grader in the schools. They'll all get a special book!

Through a generous gift from an anonymous benefactor, each 1st grade student, 1,750 in all, will receive their own copy of the recently published book, After the Fall, by Dan Santat. Author Santat said “After the Fall is a story about resilience and courage inspired by someone I love very much."

Good Things Happen to Readers, a program of the Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation (GRSAF), the exclusive fundraising partner of the Grand Rapids Public Schools, always wants to encourage GRPS students to discover the joy of reading.  Its purpose is to raise, grow and steward funds and other community ources to support the Grand Rapids Public Schools for the benefit of its students. During the 2016/17 school year, GRSAF's philanthropic impact through private community investment on GRPS was more than $1.9M. Their website is www.grsaf.org

The books are purchased at a discount from local independent bookseller Schuler Books & Music. Owners Bill & Cecile Fehsenfeld said, “The Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation is a great organization that makes a huge impact on the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

So, the day after tomorrow, Wednesday, November 8, volunteers will head out to 27 participating elementary schools. The students think they are being treated to story time, but at the end of reading After the Fall, the reader will ask, “Does anyone want to take this book home?” Every little hand will raise, and in each will be placed a copy to take home.

Biggby Coffee is partnering with the Good Things Happen to Readers initiative this year, and will supply bookmarks to each student receiving a copy of the book, as well as coffee to all volunteers.