April RIF NOVA News!

RIF RAP -- April 2026

The RIF NOVA community is mourning the loss of Nancy King, a longtime board member and dear friend. Nancy passed away unexpectedly on March 25 due to complications from surgery.

A former teacher and principal in Arlington, Nancy joined Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia after retirement to continue educating children in our community. Here at RIF NOVA, she served in many capacities including as vice president and president. She helped start new fundraising efforts to support the organization, including the biannual Book It For Books 5K, which began in 2016 and continues today. She pitched in everywhere, with joy, enthusiasm, and her warm and engaging smile.

Nancy was awarded the Margaret McNamara Award in 2015. Named in honor of RIF's founder, the McNamara Award is the highest annual honor given by RIF NOVA. In 2024, Nancy was awarded the Jerry Shelton Award for her longtime efforts to advance the organization's goals.

We will continue the work Nancy cared about so deeply and honor her by carrying forward her commitment to putting books into children's hands and homes. At her family's request, donations may be made to RIF NOVA in memory of Nancy and her many years of service to our community.

Books for Keeps Updates

Books for Keeps is RIF NOVA's signature and longest-running program. Book distributions, coupled with engaging activities, are held throughout the year. Just see some of the recent fun as children chose books of their own to take home to keep!

"Dumfries ES had a fantastic day," reported reading specialist Emily Decarolis. "We were able to 'Spring into Spring Break' and give each student from Pre-K to 5th grade TWO brand new books provided by a RIF / RIF NOVA grant. We gave out 840 books to our 420 students. Many said they couldn't wait to go home and read. In fact, some sat down and started reading immediately!"

With coffee filters, markers, scissors, and imagination, children at PWC's Bel Air Elementary turned a pre-spring break book-choosing celebration into a floral art fair! Creativity + picking a RIF NOVA book for keeps...such an inspirational beginning to spring! Special thanks to librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Clifton Palmer for leading the charge on this festival of floral fun!

Spring into a New Book! Children at the Falls Church McLean Children's Center did just that with book readings by volunteers from the New Dominion Women's Club, crafting thank you posters in each classroom, and picking TWO new books to take home for keeps -- thanks to a RIF / RIF NOVA grant. "The books allow our children to have literacy opportunities at home with their families," wrote Hallye Smith, FCMLCC's director.

Paper airplanes went flying at Alexandria's Polk ES as children learned about some of the early female pilots who changed the skies forever. As part of the school's STEM week celebration, each child crafted an airplane and then tried to fly it to see whose creation could sail the farthest. The competition was fierce! Picking a RIF NOVA book to take home to read over spring break made the fun even more...fun!

Authors in Our Schools Updates

Since November 2023, over 7,000 NOVA students have met an author and received an autographed book to keep during more than 40 presentations with 20 different authors at the Title 1 schools RIF NOVA serves. That's a WOW! A few recent visits are noted below.

Did you know that some monkeys floss their teeth? First and 2nd graders at Yorkshire Elementary know after a visit from author Debra Shumaker and a reading of her book Peculiar Primates. The children learned that some primates have a lunch box in their cheeks. And gorillas do not beat their chests with their fists as shown in movies but with their open palms to sound bigger and more intimidating!

The author encouraged the children at this Prince William County school to always think like a scientist and ask the question, Why? One child asked why she used so many hard words in her book? Ms. Shumaker answered, "It's because that's how you learn new vocabulary!"

First and 2nd graders at Fairfax County's Groveton ES got to experience a brand new book by author Sue Fliess. The author read Greta Green Builds a Submarine and spoke to the children about ocean life, sustainability, and a young girl who follows her dream to see more of the sea. This is the latest of the author's more than 60 children's books, many featuring STEM topics. The author described how she does her research for fiction and nonfiction books and explained to the children how they could be writers, too. Those who play an instrument might write music, singers might write lyrics, and jokesters might write comic books. "The possibilities are endless!" she exclaimed. Each child went home with a signed copy of the Greta book.

"Thank you so much! Your words meant so much to me!" exclaimed a 6th grader from Arlington's Kenmore MS after taking part in a writers workshop with author Heather Murphy Capps. As the author led students through her writing process, they took many notes, and several were excited to share that they have already begun writing their own books!

Before the workshops, each student was able to select and read one of the author's two books, The Rule of Three or Indigo and Ida. Ms. Capps signed and personalized each book as students came up to chat after the sessions. Special thanks to the Arlington Community Foundation's 2025 Wish List for helping to fund this author event.

When author Tracey Kyle visited Fairfax County's Braddock Elementary, it was a celebration! And when she read her book Pepe and the Parade to 2nd graders, it was practically over the top with choruses of ¡Olé! As the author read, the children participated in a lively back and forth about Hispanic heritage, getting very excited when they saw a word, a food, or a tradition they recognized.

Each child received an autographed and personalized-by-name copy of Pepe. Most wanted to get started reading right away, comparing the country flags they knew and enjoying pictures by illustrator Mirelle Ortega. These Braddock Eagles were treated to an experience they will not soon forget! ¡Olé!

Thanks to Some of Our Young Volunteers...

Volunteers from the Great Falls Young Men's Service League and the Justice High School National English Honor Society helped build science kits for use in the 2026 RIF NOVA STEAM It Up! project. (Pics to be included next month in the May RIF RAP!)

Another way young volunteers can help is through our Young Ambassador Volunteer Program. The 2026-2027 application is open through June 15. Thanks to all the young volunteers who are making a difference to RIF NOVA's work!