Passport to Literacy

The New London Public Schools, in partnership with the Garde Arts Center, New London Youth Affairs and the New London Education Foundation is once again sponsoring Passport to Literacy, an exciting initiative for all third grade students in the NLPS.

Through this initiative students will be encouraged to nurture their “love of reading.”

Passport to Literacy at a glance:

3rd grade students will be asked to read 4 books in 4 weeks between

February 1st and February 28th.

Each 3rd grade class will receive an assortment of books. Students will select a book to read and then trade it in for a new book each week. At the end of the Passport to Literacy initiative, each student will be able to choose their favorite book or one they have not read to take home and own!

All 3rd grade students will be presented a “passport” during the week of January 30th. These passports should be kept on file with the teacher and should NOT be given to the students until the conclusion of the program.

Each time a student completes a book, the student will advise their teacher. The teacher will verify that students have completed each book and sign the appropriate location on the “passport.” Again, the goal is to have students read at least 4 books in 4 weeks. Additional space is available on the passports for students who go above and beyond and read two additional books.

All 3rd grade students who reach the above goal will be rewarded with a free pass for themselves and two family members to see Disney’s new musical stage adaptation of Winnie the Pooh at the Garde Arts Center on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 3 p.m.

We are very excited to announce that this year one 3rd grade student from each elementary school will also be chosen, by their teachers, to receive a scholarship to participate in the Summer on Stage production of their choice—Rapunzel, Hercules or The Princess and the Pea! Summer on Stage details will follow. This scholarship, which is worth $350, will provide the selected students with an unforgettable summer theatre experience. These students will take classes in acting, movement, stagecraft makeup and participate as actors, singers, dancers, stagehands and assistant directors in an original large-cast musical on the Garde stage. This student must read the required number of books.

As a thank you, each participating 3rd grade teacher will also receive a ticket to attend DrumLine Live at the Garde Arts Center on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 8 p.m.!

Please contact Val Tamano at valerietamano@gmail.com or

860.625.3768 if you have any questions.