WITS creates opportunities for every student in Chicago to be literate.
Operating as usual
Please join us on November 11th for the WITS Blackboard Affair | Mirror Ball. The Mirror Ball is an event like no other that makes dancing the night away not only look good but do good. This event provides resources to empower elementary students to discover themselves through reading while developing foundational literacy skills. Learn more at witschicago.org/bba2023.
09/12/2023
We're officially two weeks from our next Study Hall, where we will discuss "Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora." Join us for the discussion witschicago.org/study-hall .
08/28/2023
On September 26 we will discuss "Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora". In this book, bestselling and award-winning authors interrogate the myths and stereotypes about the Latinx diaspora. To learn more and sign up to attend WITS Study Hall visit witschicago.org/study-hall
The first week of Chicago Public Schools is already over! WITS staff and mentors can't wait to meet students in the classroom this fall. Visit witschicago.org/programs to learn more about our programs.
We are looking to grow the WITS team. Please share these opportunities with your networks to help us build upon our already strong staff. We will collect resumes until September 5. Visit witschicago.org/job-opportunities to learn more and share.
08/11/2023
Join WITS at the White Sox vs. Brewers game this Sunday! Seats are available in sections 535-537 on a limited basis for this game. $10 from every ticket purchased from this link supports WITS literacy programs. Tailgate with us at 11am in Parking Lot B. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Tickets are running out! Purchase your tickets now and invite your friends to join you. https://ow.ly/70J750PxH8F
These books have been featured in a myriad of must-read lists. Which books should we read next? Help us choose next year's Study Hall curriculum.
07/31/2023
Chicago White Sox Charities and the WITS Associates Board are calling all baseball fans to the White Sox vs. Brewers game on August 13.
$10 from every ticket purchased supports WITS. Tailgate with us at 11 am in Parking Lot B, where drinks and snacks will be provided.
Purchase your tickets now and invite your friends to join you! This event will sell out.
07/28/2023
Building at-home libraries for students is an integral part of the WITS mission, especially during the summertime when they're out of school.
Learn more about WITSummer Books and how it impacts our student population here: https://witschicago.org/witsummer-books
600 mentors. 480 students. 20 schools. 10,000 books.
So many of these numbers are because of individuals, foundations, and corporations like you reading this right now that have made it possible for WITS to return to the classroom.
Read more about WITS' 2022 Annual Report here:
https://ow.ly/h3BK50PjRAL
07/21/2023
Reading for fun isn't just for fun — it helps develop foundational literacy skills, which, as we know, is an integral part of overall learning; this is why it's part of WITS' mission to help promote book ownership at home!
What's your favorite book in your ?
07/20/2023
If you've heard about the national "reading wars" debate or even if you haven't, no worries—we got you covered.
Read more about balanced literacy versus the science of reading in our blog post at our link in bio.
07/20/2023
If you've heard about the national "reading wars" debate or even if you haven't, no worries—we got you covered.
Read more about balanced literacy versus the science of reading in our blog post here:
https://witschicago.org/the-difference-between-balanced-literacy-and-the-science-of-reading
Lights, camera, Mirror Ball! 🪩
The Mirror Ball is an event like no other that makes dancing the night away not only look good but do good. Each year 500 members of the WITS community raise nearly $600,000 to fund literacy enrichment programming in Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
We can’t wait for you to join us by attending, sponsoring, or donating to The Blackboard Affair.
Learn more here: https://witschicago.org/bba2023
07/03/2023
WITS is honored to have participated in the 2023 Chicago White Sox Charities Grant Day Celebration on Saturday, June 24. As a long-term partner for over ten years, WITS could not advance our mission without your support. Thank you for the recognition and hospitality!
06/30/2023
Through literacy-based mentorship, enabling teachers to build diverse classroom libraries, and promoting book ownership at home, WITS aims to improve statistics like these for Chicago Public Schools youth.
With just a few more weeks of summer (cue the tears), learn more about volunteering for the upcoming school year here:
https://witschicago.org/volunteer
Even before the pandemic, research shows that our nation’s reading scores plummeted, and remote learning didn’t help. WITS cares, so we continuously strive and fundraise for volunteer and mentorship programs throughout Chicago Public Schools to help bridge the reading gap children face.
As President of WITS’ Board of Directors and Principal of Talcott Elementary, Dr. Olimpia Bahena says in the following video: “We empower students to discover themselves through reading while developing foundational literacy schools.”
When you donate to WITS, the largest provider of literacy programming in CPS, you know exactly where and to whom your generosity is going. And as many of our math people know, numbers don’t lie — in the last three years, 63% of WITS students surpassed the national average for annual reading level growth.
https://witschicago.org/donate
06/28/2023
A special thank you to Citi for inviting us to speak at lunch and learn on Thursday, June 22nd. We had a great time meeting your staff and look forward to the partnership's next steps. Learn more about our partners here:
https://ow.ly/85RS50OZJ7N
06/22/2023
Tonight's the night! Join us at Parson's Chicken & Fish - Lincoln Park location for an evening of delicious food, raffle prizes (winners will be announced at 7 pm), and a strong sense of community who love and support WITS. What could be better?
Register at the link below in case you haven't yet — can't wait to see you there!
https://ow.ly/Ue6350OUZiE
06/19/2023
Happy Juneteenth from all of us at WITS! Today we can do our best to celebrate and commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Black people and African Americans, which was made official on June 19, 1865, in Texas.
While there are many Chicago events to attend, we also have some recommended readings and resources below:
https://ow.ly/ZXCJ50ORURQ
06/16/2023
This statistic proves why we work so hard to fundraise for programs like WITSummer Books to provide new, engaging, culturally diverse books to Chicago Public School students.
Learn more about our summer programming and donate here:
https://ow.ly/SMNm50OPRX0
06/15/2023
The prizes for our WITS x Parson's event a week from today are in!
You can win one of these four gifts, from leisurely activities like Cubs and White Sox tickets to a staycation at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel to expert-selected fine wines.
Register for the June 22nd, 5-8 pm event below. Raffle winners will be called at 7. See you there!
https://ow.ly/qM5g50OPPIa
06/14/2023
Tonight, we'll meet to discuss "Skinship" by Yoon Choi, a book of eight short stories centered on a constellation of Korean American families.
This will be our last Study Hall for the summer season, so even if you haven't read the text, we'd love to have you come, listen, and share your thoughts.
Register to join below:
https://witschicago.org/study-hall
06/12/2023
We're officially ten days away from our collaboration event with Parson's Chicken & Fish - Lincoln Park!
Join us on June 22, where we'll enjoy some of the city's best fried chicken and fish around, enter the chance to win multiple prizes and come together to support WITS' mission.
Register below, and make sure to come hungry 🍗🐟🥖https://ow.ly/TbJV50OM2FH
06/09/2023
Furthermore, Read to Lead states that book publisher Lee & Low reports that in the past 24 years, only 13% of children’s literature included multicultural content. Only 7% of authors were people of color. School booklists still heavily lean on classics, which almost exclusively focus on the middle-class, white, cisgender experience.
This is why at WITS we strive to include inclusive, diverse books to reflect the lives of Chicago Public Schools students.
06/08/2023
Our WITS team has been recognized and received funding from Bank of America as a 2023 recipient. Support will go toward our continuing programming, among other initiatives.
Thank you, BofA Chicago!
06/07/2023
Happy ! 🏳️🌈
06/06/2023
We're just over two weeks away from our WITSummer Books Celebration event at the Parson's Chicken & Fish in Lincoln Park. We hope to see you on June 22!
Click the link below to register:
https://witschicago.org/witsummer-books
Not like we're counting the days or anything, but we're just a few weeks out from our favorite summer event: community, great food (we're drooling, too), and an ever-greater cause. What could be better? Register below for the WITS x Parson's partnership event on June 22:
http://ow.ly/eNHZ50OCnKb
05/31/2023
We're officially two weeks from our next Study Hall, where we'll read Yoon Choi's "Skinship," which details short stories based on the Korean-American experience.
Learn more and sign up here: https://witschicago.org/study-hall
05/30/2023
With just two days left in May, we still have time to honor month with many children's books to read to our kids and students.
WITS Student Program Director Ellen Werner wrote a blog about literary recommendations and the importance of learning AAPI history and narratives.
Read more here:
http://ow.ly/HpnX50OzYL8
05/24/2023
When you add these titles to CPS students' at-home libraries, you're helping foster a love of reading outside the classroom. Just a $50 donation is used to send a student home with brand-new, culturally diverse books for the summer.
Learn more about WITS Summer Books Highlights 2023 here:
http://ow.ly/xCbC50OvLoK
05/23/2023
WITS Student Program Director Ellen Werner recommended this week's book pick.
This new picture book—written by Meera Sriram and illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat—celebrates the custom of applying henna for special occasions.
Who are some of your favorite AAPI authors and/or illustrators?
05/22/2023
We know you wanted to support Chicago students and teachers WHILE treating yourself to some delicious chicken and fish — don't worry, we got you.
Learn more and register here: https://witschicago.org/witsummer-books
05/19/2023
With national statistics like this, WITS is committed to providing children with culturally relevant texts to promote book ownership.
Learn more about how our upcoming initiative serves CPS teachers and students with this disparity: https://witschicago.org/witsummer-books
"As the CEO of this organization, I am committed to building at-home and classroom libraries for CPS students ... I am asking you to help put books on the shelves of our students." - Tena Latona, Chief Executive Officer of WITS
For just $50, you can send a student home with a set of brand-new, culturally diverse books for the summer and help them develop the significance and exciting experience that is book ownership.
Learn more here: http://ow.ly/p2j650Orjcy
05/17/2023
WITS is less than a month from our next Study Hall, where we'll read "Skinship" by Yoon Choi.
The short story collection features eight stories about Koreans, Korean immigrants and first-generation Koreans as they try to make their way in the new world.
Sign-up here: https://witschicago.org/study-hall
05/16/2023
Our second pick of in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is 2021's "Eyes That Kiss in the Corners" by Joanna Ho.
In this powerful and lyrical New York Times Bestseller picture book, a young girl learns to love and celebrate her appearance. An empowering tale of self-acceptance and respect for one’s roots.
05/12/2023
Welcome to our first , where we bring you educated-related Illinois and Chicago literacy information.
At WITS, we track these literacy disparities and work diligently to bring more literacy mentorship each year in Chicago Public Schools. We also provide culturally-relevant books to students to increase book ownership at home.
What do you want to learn for our next Fact Friday? 🤔
05/11/2023
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