Classmates Literacy Foundation

08/06/2026

Great morning at the Middleton Chamber of Commerce's Annual Nonprofit Day!

We always enjoy connecting with other nonprofits doing amazing work in our community and it is always great to see CLF Board Member, Michael Wiebe!

A heartfelt thank you to the Middleton Chamber for taking the time to celebrate and highlight the organizations working every day to make our community stronger. We are grateful to be among them! 💙

08/05/2026

We are deeply grateful to the Herb Kohl Philanthropies & Herb Kohl Educational Foundation for helping expand access to evidence-based literacy training for teachers serving students throughout Dane County.💙

Thank you not only for supporting our work, but also for helping share our story. Together, we're ensuring more teachers have access to the training they need so every child has the opportunity to become a successful reader.

We are honored to be part of this work alongside you.

Investing in educators creates lasting impact for students. 🤝

A Homegrown Grant helped the Classmates Literacy Foundation provide Structured Literacy Foundations training for local teachers, equipping them with tools to strengthen reading instruction and student success.

One teacher shared the difference the training has made:

“My students are more confident spellers and blend new words with automaticity much sooner. Compared to similar groups I've taught, these students are progressing faster, with more joy. The proof is in both the data and the enthusiasm.”

By supporting professional learning opportunities, Homegrown Grants help empower educators and improve outcomes for students! 📚

Learn more: https://www.herbkohlphilanthropies.org/sparking-civic-engagement/homegrown-grants.php

07/22/2026

If, like us, you believe EVERY child deserves the opportunity to become a confident and capable reader, don't miss this important conversation on the future of literacy.

Nearly 70% of U.S. children are not reading proficiently, but we know what works.

LITERACY. NOW. is a free, national virtual conference on Sunday, August 2 that will bring together leading literacy experts, researchers, advocates, and legal experts to empower families to advocate for evidence-based reading instruction grounded in the Science of Reading.

Whether you're a parent, educator, advocate, or community member, you'll gain practical knowledge about how children learn to read, parents' educational rights, and how we can work together to ensure every child has access to effective literacy instruction.

Learn more and register today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/literacy-now-a-national-parent-led-conference-to-end-the-literacy-crisis-tickets-1989963016952?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

🚨 Registration is OPEN for Literacy Now, a national parent-led conference presented by Parents for Reading Justice!

Don’t miss literacy advocate Kareem Weaver session: “Reading Saves Lives: Literacy as a Civil Right, a Human Right, and a Public Health Crisis.”

📅 Aug. 2 | 🖥️ Virtual | 3–6 PM ET

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/literacy-now-a-national-parent-led-conference-to-end-the-literacy-crisis-tickets-1989963016952

07/16/2026

The Classmates Literacy Foundation Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Heidi Craemer, M.Ed.L., to our team. Heidi has been supporting our work as a volunteer ambassador for nearly two years. She is an educator with more than 25 years of experience and a fierce advocate for children, especially those who carry challenges in life and learning.

Heidi brings extensive experience in science-based reading instruction and has completed Slant System Orton-Gillingham Structured Literacy Foundations, Advanced, Practicum, and Coaches training, making her an incredible resource as we continue to expand our impact in Dane County.

Heidi's commitment to equity, literacy, and the belief that every child deserves a fair chance reflects everything CLF stands for ❤️. As CLF continues to grow, we're excited to have Heidi's experience, insight, and heart helping lead the way.

07/16/2026

Mercadito at Centro Dane County is cancelled today (7/16) due to the poor air quality. We will be back there on August 13 so come see us then! 📚🔤✏️🏫💙

Stay safe!

Madison friends! Come see us tomorrow night at Mercadito!!

We’ll be at Centro Dane County (2403 Cypress Way) on Thursday (7/16) from 4:00–8:00 PM providing free and FUN literacy resources that families can use at home!

Stop by our table to:
🧩 Try out fun, multisensory early literacy activities
🎒 Grab a FREE literacy activity bag to use with your child at home
💙 Chat with some amazing reading teachers

Then stay to enjoy the incredible food, music, local vendors, and community that make Mercadito such a special event.

We’d love to see you there!!!

07/15/2026

Madison friends! Come see us tomorrow night at Mercadito!!

We’ll be at Centro Dane County (2403 Cypress Way) on Thursday (7/16) from 4:00–8:00 PM providing free and FUN literacy resources that families can use at home!

Stop by our table to:
🧩 Try out fun, multisensory early literacy activities
🎒 Grab a FREE literacy activity bag to use with your child at home
💙 Chat with some amazing reading teachers

Then stay to enjoy the incredible food, music, local vendors, and community that make Mercadito such a special event.

We’d love to see you there!!!

07/15/2026

Madison friends! Come see us tomorrow night at Mercadito!!

We'll be at Centro Dane County (2403 Cypress Way) on Thursday (7/16) from 4:00–8:00 PM providing free and FUN literacy resources that families can use at home!

Stop by our table to:
🧩 Try out fun, multisensory early literacy activities
🎒 Grab a FREE literacy activity bag to use with your child at home
💙 Chat with some amazing reading teachers

Then stay to enjoy the incredible food, music, local vendors, and community that make Mercadito such a special event.

We'd love to see you there!!!

07/13/2026

YES! Say it again!

"When we invest in teachers, we invest in EVERY child they teach!"

Read more like this on our blog: https://classmatesliteracy.org/blog-3-2

07/09/2026

Know an amazing educator in Dane or Sauk County? I bet you do!

Our friends at Madison Reading Project, Inc. are now accepting teacher nominations for the Clear the List movement. Selected teachers choose 25 brand new books on Bookshop for their classroom!

If there's a teacher who goes above and beyond, take a minute to nominate them!

https://form.jotform.com/261676599547074

07/08/2026

We’re excited to share the Classmates Literacy Foundation Annual Report 2025!
This past year, because of the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, partners, and community, we were able to make a meaningful impact in the lives of student through literacy. Every training, every volunteer, and every donation helped create more opportunities for children to grow as confident readers.
Take a look at our 2025 Annual Report to see the impact we’ve made together.
Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us inspire a lifelong love of literacy. 📚❤️