On Tuesday, Chicago Public Schools was joined by Chicago-based Hilco Redevelopment Partners through their charitable organization, Hilco Helps, to donate thousands of English and Spanish language books for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students across 50 schools as part of the city’s Summer Reading Initiative. The Summer Reading Initiative, announced in February 2019, is designed to foster a love of reading and increase independent reading among CPS students in the intermediate grades during the summer months. Through this program, students can establish stronger connections with new teachers and peers to support the transition back to school and families are provided increased access to resources and educational programs. The extension of this program builds on the success of the CPS PreK-2nd Grade Balanced Literacy Initiative while complementing the Chicago Public Library’s Summer Learning Challenge, which facilitates student and family educational engagement. Participating schools serve majority low-income students, engage in the CPS Balanced Literacy Initiative, and have demonstrated a need for additional literacy support.