Media Advisory for May 14, 2015

Contact: Matt Leon, Niskayuna Schools, (518) 429-7644 (m)

Also: Carl Korn, NYSUT, (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313; Leslie Getzinger, AFT, (202) 321-4034 (m); Karen Corona, Schenectady Schools, (518) 858-5610 (m)

First Book to put 500,000 new books into the hands of
children from a Niskayuna warehouse

May 14 events include warehouse tour, press conference, distribution to students

On Thursday, May 14, the nonprofit First Book will distribute half-a-million books from a Niskayuna warehouse to all corners of our state and country to open up new chapters in reading for children.

NYSUT President Karen Magee, Niskayuna Interim Superintendent John Yagielski, leaders and teachers from the Niskayuna and Schenectady school districts and representatives from AFT, First Book, and Schenectady County will celebrate the week-long distribution with a morning tour of the warehouse and press conference. In the afternoon, students from nearby Central Park International Magnet School in Schenectady will receive their new books. Details of each event are below.

The distribution of 500,000 free books to children is a partnership between First Book, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), which secured the distribution site by working with the Schenectady County IDA and the Niskayuna Central School District. The district is providing a portion of its transportation facility for use by First Book.

From May 11 to 15, teachers from across New York are coming to Niskayuna to pick up books and bring them back to their schools and community programs for students and families.

First Book provides books predominantly to schools and community programs that serve students from low-income households. It holds 6 to 7 book distributions across the country each year. First Book and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have a national partnership, and more than 2 million books have been distributed through local AFT affiliates across the country.

Teachers who signed up for this year’s distribution in Niskayuna were able to select from the many titles First Book has available. They are then given a time to come to the distribution center and pick up the books. First Book also provides low-cost shipping options to teachers across the country. Additionally, in 2014, NYSUT sponsored eight truckloads carrying a total of 40,000 books through First Book that headed out to regions across the state for distribution to participating teachers.

Two events are planned on Thursday, May 14, to celebrate this significant initiative to inspire a love of reading and learning among the young people in our state and beyond:

9:30 to 10 a.m. –Tour and Press Conference

Where:               First Book National Book Bank distribution site

What:                 Kristine Brown, First Book National Book Bank Book Manager, leads a tour of the book bank for program partners and media, followed by press conference

Who:                  NYSUT President Karen Magee; Niskayuna Interim Superintendent John Yagielski; Katie Donlevie, First Book; Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County IDA and Majority Leader of the County Legislature; Karen Bradley, Director of the Schenectady County Public Library system; Cesaera Pirrone; a teacher from Central Park International Magnet School in Schenectady; and others

2 to 3 p.m. – Book distribution event with students and families at Schenectady’s Central Park International Magnet School

Where:              Central Park International Magnet School, 421 Elm Street, Schenectady, NY 12304

What:                Book distribution to students and parents, showing the book bank books making an immediate impact

Who:                 Jennifer Chatain, Central Park principal, Cesaera Pirrone, Central Park teacher; AFT, NYUT, and First Book representatives; students and parents

Contact:            Karen Corona of Schenectady Schools, 518-858-5610