[kids-lib] Think Big Save for College: summer reading sweepstakes press release

Wed May 30 09:30:50 PDT 2012

FYI: The following press release was just posted to FlashNews and will hopefully be picked up in local newspapers across the state this week. Think Big Save for College and local public library summer reading programs will also be promoted on AM Northwest on Monday, June 4th. For more details about statewide promotion of summer reading and Think Big Save for College, please read the email I sent out on this list on May 8th (http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/pipermail/kids-lib/2012-May/001131.html).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chris Crabb, LWA PR

503‐314‐7583, chris at leeweinstein.biz

Summer reading can lead to college savings: Oregon College Savings Plan

teams up with Oregon public libraries’ summer reading programs

“THINK BIG Save for College” campaign will award up to 15 $1,000 Oregon College

Savings Plan accounts, plus $7,500 to Oregon public libraries

SALEM, Ore. (May 29, 2012) - Statistics point to potentially significant loss of learning when young people are not in school during the summer. In an effort to get books in the hands of children, the Oregon College Savings Plan has partnered with the Oregon State Library and the Oregon Library Association to offer THINK BIG Save for College, a statewide campaign designed to promote Oregon public libraries’ summer reading programs.

THINK BIG Save for College encourages kids and teens to participate in their local library’s summer reading program as a fun way to maintain their reading skills and prepare for the coming school year during summer break -- while giving their parents a chance to win a $1,000 Oregon College Savings Plan account. Up to 15 winners, three from each Oregon congressional district, will be selected in a random drawing. Every library with a winning child will also receive $500.

THINK BIG Save for College kicks off June 1 across the state and continues through August 31. Last year, nearly 162,000 children and teens statewide participated in the summer reading programs offered at public libraries throughout Oregon, reading more than 165,000 books and 678,000 pages, according to the Oregon State Library.

"The statistics regarding the loss of academic knowledge over the summer break are staggering,” explained Michael Parker, executive director of the Oregon 529 College Savings Network. “That’s why it’s so important to us to partner with the Oregon State Library and the Oregon Library Association on this program. Access to books over the summer improves reading skills and overall academic performance, which will help kids prepare for higher education."

To raise awareness of the summer reading programs, the Oregon College Savings Plan is also underwriting special performances in libraries in communities with a population of 10,000 or less. Select libraries will receive summer visits from award-winning storyteller Christopher Leebrick, Dragon Theater Puppets, Penny’s Puppets, Jugglemania by Rhys Thomas, and Rich Glauber’s Music in Action throughout the summer months.

According to the National Summer Learning Association 's article, "Doesn't Every Child Deserve a Memorable Summer," all young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in enrichment activities during the summer. Research spanning 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning. In the absence of a summer reading program, most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months, and low‐income students lose more than two months in reading achievement. (White, 1906; Entwisle & Alexander 1992;Cooper, 1996; Downey et al. 2004).

To participate in THINK BIG Save for College, Oregon parents/guardians/grandparents must first enroll their children in the 2012 Summer Reading Program at their local public library, then fill out a postage‐paid entry card, available at the library, and drop it in the mail, or enter online at OregonCollegeSavings.com All entries must be postmarked by August 31 and received by Sept. 7.  Multnomah County Library patrons must enter online at by August 31 at OregonCollegeSavings.com. Visit OregonCollegeSavings.com for official rules and prize details. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by the Oregon College Savings Plan.

About The Oregon College Savings Plan
The Oregon College Savings Plan, which is part of the Oregon 529 College Savings Network, launched in January 2001 and has grown to more than $750 million in assets as of March 30 2012. Since 2010, the plan has been managed by TIAA‐CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. An account can be opened for as little as $25 or $15 per pay period by payroll deduction. For more information about the Oregon College Savings Plan, its investment options and how to enroll, visit OregonCollegeSavings.com<http://www.oregoncollegesavings.com/> or call toll free 866‐772‐8464.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Oregon College Savings Plan. Please visit OregonCollegeSavings.com for a Plan Disclosure Booklet with this and more information. Read it carefully. Investments in the plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss.

The Oregon College Savings Plan is administered by the State of Oregon. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., is the plan manager.

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C4715

Katie Anderson, Library Development Services
* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528

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