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Backpacks, books, and a fresh start — September is both National Literacy Month and the return to school. Here are three simple ideas to bring literacy to life right from the start.

1. Share a handwritten note.


For Families: Introduce yourself and your child, share a favorite book, provide your contact preferences, and mention your volunteering interest—reading aloud makes a real difference.

For Teachers: A welcome note to families sets a positive tone. Consider sharing a favorite book and inviting family involvement.

2. Connect with the school librarian.


Families: Meet the librarian to discover opportunities that spark your child's curiosity.


For Teachers: Introduce families to your librarian early and have them share upcoming programs.

3. Join school events.


Most schools host Literacy Night or Back-to-School events. Volunteering shows support and strengthens the community. Here are some ready-to-share resources for your school's events.

Want more ideas? Explore our tips for family–school collaboration.

This summer, students showcased their creativity by inventing new comic book heroes for our annual contest, the Clash of the Heroes. Each region held competitions, and the winners were voted on to inspire a professionally designed, one-page comic.

Congratulations to our regional winners:

• Super-Hearing Monkey -- Boys Town North Florida

• Thunder Woman -- Massachusetts DYS

• Hero of Heaven -- Florida DJJ

Their characters and stories will be featured in digital publications alongside other talented young artists. See the winning illustrations and stories here.

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth at the Library of Congress National Book Festival! It was wonderful to connect with so many families, educators, and book lovers who share our passion for supporting children’s literacy. Missed it? You can watch the Main Stage presentations here.

The Yonkers Times recently featured NCIL’s insights on the importance of literacy-rich environments:

“Children who grow up in literacy-rich environments develop stronger language skills, enter school more prepared, and carry greater confidence into adulthood.”

Read the article.

We’re proud of the impact we’ve made through our partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago, where our work is sparking a system-wide transformation in how educators understand and respond to dyslexia. By equipping teachers with evidence-based tools and strategies, we’re creating lasting change. Read more.

The research reported here is funded by a grant to the National Center on Improving Literacy from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, in partnership with the Office of Special Education Programs (Award #: H283D210004). The opinions or policies expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of OESE, OSEP, or the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal government. Copyright © 2024 National Center on Improving Literacy.