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More than 60 Prime Time Family Reading and Prime Time Preschool Reading programs will take place in 21 parishes across Louisiana from August through December.

A program of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH), Prime Time programs involve story sharing around an award-winning children’s book during a weekly session that takes place for six weeks at libraries, schools, churches, community centers and other local community gathering places. Prime Time Family Reading, for ages 6-10, and Prime Time Preschool Reading, for ages 3-5, encourage families to personally connect with literature and each other and think beyond basic plot details by using open-ended questioning that spurs and encourages rich discussion across generations. For Preschool Reading, hands-on activities are incorporated to keep younger children engaged.

This school year, Prime Time is partnering with New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO), a nonprofit founded in 2006 with a mission to deliver on the promise of excellent public schools for every child in New Orleans, to bring Prime Time programs to a record number of schools in Orleans Parish.

“New Schools for New Orleans is excited to announce our partnership with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities through the Prime Time program. Twenty-two charter schools received funding to host a Prime Time program at their school site this fall,” said Nan Sterling, NSNO chief of schools. “We support our schools by increasing their commitment to family engagement and literacy. We look forward to visiting the schools and seeing our families interact with the program and bond with their children through the love of reading.”

Through the support of its partners, Prime Time programs are free for families and the community organizations throughout the state that host them. Families start the program by sharing a meal and also get to keep the books from the sessions to help build their home libraries. Prime Time’s fall reading programs are also sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Shell Oil Company Foundation, Entergy Charitable Foundation, Zemurray Foundation, Community Foundation of North Louisiana, the Beaird Family Foundation, the Lamar Family Foundation, and the State of Louisiana.

Families can find a fall Prime Time program near them, along with contact information and dates, by visiting https://primetimefamily.org/prime-time-reading-families/#map.

“As we begin the new school year it’s exciting to envision our Prime Time programs reaching so many families,” said Miranda Restovic, president and executive director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and Prime Time, Inc. “Whether it’s in a school, a public library, a church or a community center, the goal of Prime Time is to expand on the literacy efforts already taking place in our state while opening up a world of questioning and discussion that will lead to our next generation of critical thinkers.”

In addition to Louisiana sites, Prime Time reading programs are hosted by state humanities councils throughout the United States. This fall, Prime Time will also take place in Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska and Washington.