STUDENTS! YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

            Thank you for participating in Simply Equal Education's SEE Me Read program!  We wanted to tell you a little about Simply Equal Education and the work that we do so you know why you're counting your reading minutes!  Also, it will be helpful to be able to tell the people who you are asking to make pledges about us (or you can show them this letter!)  

            Simply Equal Education is an organization that wants to make sure that kids like you in the United States know that they can make a difference in the world!  That's right!  You can make a difference!  We know that grown-ups spend a lot of time telling you that you aren't old enough to do something, but we know that you are never too young to make the world a better place!  We want to help you feel connected to kids around the world, and for you to understand that no matter where in the world they live, kids are basically just like all other kids!  Simply Equal Education wants kids everywhere to be able to go to school, and have things like paper, crayons, pencils and scissors.  Right now, this isn't always what happens. With the help of kids like you, Simply Equal Education is working to change that!  

            The SEE Me Read program is really a contest between groups all over the country!  Your goal is to read as much as possible (if you can't read yet that is OK! Any time that a grown up or older brother or sister spends reading out loud to you counts too!)  So keep track of your minutes that you spend reading each day on the SEE Me Read Reading Log.  

            The other paper in your packet is what's called a pledge sheet.  This is the paper where people can donate money to help Simply Equal Education based on how many minutes you spend reading.  They can also just donate one amount no matter how many minutes you read.  That is totally up to them!  Before you ask anyone to donate money ASK YOUR PARENTS if they mind.  Some parents don't want their kids asking for money and THAT IS TOTALLY FINE, keep track of your minutes anyway to help your class win an ice cream party.  If your parents say it is ok with them, there are some important safety rules that are important to remember:

-        Always ask for pledges with a parent or grown-up you know and trust!!
-        NEVER go door to door asking for pledges!!
-        Ask your parents if they can ask their friends and co-workers. 

                        Have fun and HAPPY READING!!