(August 2, 2019) Newark, NJ—Creed Strategies, AGAME-TRAINING/AQUAPHit, the City of Newark and the Newark Board of Education in collaboration with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, and global literacy nonprofit LitWorld to sponsor a Lit & PHit Fest on August 6 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Central High School in Newark, New Jersey. This community event will highlight the importance of reading year-round and staying active during the summer.
Lit & PHit Fest will host Dav Pilkey, celebrated children’s author and illustrator of worldwide bestselling series Captain Underpants and Dog Man. Pilkey will talk about his path to becoming an author and illustrator, and will provide each child in attendance with a book from his Dog Man series, as well as a book of their choice from the Scholastic Book Fair.
Dr. Lauren Wells, Founder of Creed Strategies, notes, “This was an opportunity to collaborate with Scholastic and LitWorld that encourages our kids to read and stay active during the summer that we just could not pass up. The experiences all children have over the summer matter so much. The children that participate in this event will remember the day they met the man behind Captain Underpants and got a good workout to boot. Health and learning go hand in hand. Lit & PHit Fest gives our kids the chance to experience this. Education overall must do more to reflect this.”
Pam Allyn, Senior Vice President, Innovation & Development, Scholastic Education and founder of LitWorld, said, “Reading supports students’ growth beyond academics, helping them uncover their own social-emotional strengths such as belonging, friendship, kindness, curiosity, confidence, courage, and hope. While school is out, we know that reading is crucial to building these strengths and avoiding learning loss, but findings from the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™ show that 20% of children read zero books during the summer. We’re thrilled to participate in Lit & PHit Fest to provide books and help kids celebrate the joy and power of reading 365 days a year.”
Executive Director of LitWorld, Dorothy Lee, adds, “Children across America only spend a sixth of their time in school, and LitWorld fills those gaps with joyful, active learning. LitWorld is proud to collaborate with Scholastic and the Newark community to highlight positive ways to help children learn all year round.”
AGAME-TRAINING will hold PHit Kids, a fun fitness mini-boot camp that incorporates a health wellness component to the event. Children will participate in professional performance enhancement training and receive healthy snacks.
Allen Watson, Owner of AGAME-TRAINING/AQUAPHit, said, “The mind-body connection is extremely important. PHit Kids aims to help our kids understand that you have to work all of your muscles to be healthy and whole. Through this collaboration we show that reading makes the brain stronger and physical activity keeps the body strong and in shape. Lit & PHit Fest reminds our kids there is NO OFF SEASON!”
Children attending Center of Hope summer camps at Hayes-West, The Clubhouse, and the HUBB will participate in the event. Each child will participate in the author presentation, PHit Kids Boot Camp, and the Scholastic Book Fair. Lit & PHit Fest will include activities by volunteers from LitWorld.
Trevor Phillips, Senior Manager of Special Projects Office of Mayor Ras J. Baraka said, “In the age of cell phones, video games, and continuous internet surfing, one cannot underestimate the importance of exercise and education. Partnering with Scholastic, LitWorld, Creed Strategies, and AGAME-Training gives the City of Newark the chance to drive home the importance of health and literacy with our children. We fight to empower and educate our residents every day, getting a little assistance from Captain Underpants in that struggle is definitely a plus.”
About the event, Mayor Ras J. Baraka, said, “I am inspired to see leaders in our City collaborating and using their resources and relationships to infuse reading and wellness into our children’s summer. Lit & PHit Fest supports the City’s efforts through the Newark Reads campaign and demonstrates the role community organizations and businesses can play in promoting reading and health throughout the city. I hope to see more of our neighborhood businesses creating and participating in these opportunities for our children.” Baraka add, “Scholastic and LitWorld continue to be valuable collaborators to our City.”
“Our community plays a vital role in keeping our kids healthy and engaged,” Superintendent Roger León, said. “The Newark Board of Education is pleased to partner with committed local businesses and national organizations to enrich our children’s summers.” He added, “We look forward to more opportunities to leverage these partnerships to give each of our students the experiences they deserve.”
Event Schedule:
· 1:30 to 1:50 Kick-Off
· 1:50 to 2:20 Author Read Aloud
· 2:30 to 3:00 Rotation I (Book Fair/PHitKids)
· 3:00 to 3:30 Rotation II (Book Fair/PHitKids)
Media Contact
Dr. Lauren Wells
973-861-3183
