CABLEVISION'S POWER TO LEARN AND THE YONKERS PUBLIC LIBRARY ENCOURAGE LOCAL CHILDREN TO UNLOCK THE DOOR TO ADVENTURE WITH TOON DISNEY'S PASSPORT TO READING PROGRAM
Recreational Reading Rewards Program
Kicks Off on June 16 in Yonkers with Special Event at the Riverfront Branch Featuring Newbery Award-winning Author, Avi
YONKERS, NY (June 8, 2004) - This summer, children throughout Cablevision's New York metropolitan service area may receive passports from their local libraries to explore exciting places and go on magnificent adventures-without ever leaving their own neighborhood. Power to Learn, Cablevision's education initiative, in collaboration with Toon Disney, an ABC Cable Networks Learning Together! public affairs initiative, and local libraries is pleased to announce this summer's Passport to Reading Program, designed to promote reading as a fun and engaging extracurricular activity among children.
To commemorate the program's launch, Newbery Award-winning book author Avi will make a special appearance and read a chapter from his 2003 Newbery Award-winning and New York Times Bestseller, "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" at the Yonkers Public Library - Riverfront Branch on Wednesday, June 16, at 10AM. This event is open to the general public and all children in attendance will receive their own copy of "Crispin," which Avi will personally sign at the event. The book is reading level appropriate for children from approximately third to fifth grade.
Known for his unconventional vision and quirky creative style, Avi has penned dozens of children's books that young readers devour with a passion. Twice awarded the Newbery Honor medal for his work, this prolific writer recently won the 2003 Newbery Medal for "Crispin: The Cross of Lead"-- an action-packed adventure set in 14th-century England.
All summer long, Power to Learn and Toon Disney will provide "Reading Passports" to libraries throughout Cablevision's service footprint to issue to participating children. Each time a child completes a book their passport will be "stamped" with a colorful sticker featuring popular Toon Disney characters. Upon completion of the program, children will receive a Passport to Reading achievement certificate.
"Power to Learn is eager to partner with Toon Disney's Passport to Reading program," said Trent Anderson, Vice President of Education, Cablevision's Power to Learn. "By encouraging children to read for pleasure outside of the classroom, this program will help them build a solid foundation of the skills and knowledge to better prepare them for their futures. We are honored to have Avi join us in Yonkers to kick off this valuable program."
With input from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, Toon Disney's Passport to Reading program will help children build upon their current level of academic achievement with the support and involvement of their parents.
Kids and parents are also invited to visit powertolearn.com to access online resources, including a recommended booklist and reading tip sheet from the Association for Library Service to Children, as well as information on how to participate in the rewards program.
"Developing a strong reading proficiency early on produces powerful communication and comprehension benefits that remain with individuals throughout their lifetime," said Nancy Waters, Communications Director for Yonkers Public Library. "This summer reading program provides us with an opportunity to invest in the future of our community's children by encouraging them to read."
"Expanding imaginations through creative storytelling and enchanting characters is at the root of Toon Disney's programming mission," said Jonathan Barzilay, senior vice president and general manager, Toon Disney. "The Passport to Reading program allows us to take the spirit of Toon Disney off-channel and encourage kids to use reading as an alternative way of entertaining themselves, so that they discover the fun of engaging their minds through books."
For more information on Toon Disney's Passport to Reading program or to learn how families can get involved, log onto www.powertolearn.com.
Toon Disney's Passport to Reading is part of Learning Together!. Encompassing all of the ABC Cable Networks Group entities-Toon Disney, ABC Family, Disney Channel and SOAPnet -Learning Together! is a public affairs initiative created to improve children's learning and personal growth through the encouragement of family involvement. Since Learning Together! was introduced in 2003, ABC Cable Networks Group and its cable partners have hosted more than 20 events in 16 local markets nationwide benefiting more than 15,000 children.
Toon Disney is the best variety of Disney animation, toon movies and high energy adventure, featuring Disney favorites like "House of Mouse," "The Legend of Tarzan," "Recess" and "Disney/Pixar's Buzz Lightyear of Star Command." Currently available in over 45 million homes, Toon Disney is a division of ABC Cable Networks Group, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.
About Power to Learn
Power to Learn, Cablevision's nationally recognized education initiative, empowers K-12 learning in the tri-state area by making technology in the classroom useful and by facilitating the home-school connection. By the end of 2004, more than 2,100 schools and libraries throughout Cablevision's New York metropolitan service area will receive high-speed Internet access and more than 85% of schools in Cablevision's service area will receive free cable television service as a result of this initiative. In addition, teachers, students and parents benefit from innovative educational content and tools available on www.powertolearn.com, a broadband Web resource dedicated to facilitating K-12 learning and the home-school connection.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television offering, Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable service, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), and other national and regional networks. Rainbow also is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net. In 2003, Cablevision's Rainbow DBS launched its VOOM satellite service, the first service to offer a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) television programming. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision is the controlling owner of Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.
CONTACTS:
Karen Hobson
ABC Cable Networks Group
Office -- (818) 569-7789
Cell - (818) 359-3583
karen.hobson@disney.com
Marie Stenberg
Cablevision
Office - (516)803-2352
mstenber@cablevision.com
Ethel Petryczka
Yonkers Public Library
Office - (914) 337-1500, ext. 446
epetryczka@ypl.org
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