On Wednesday, August 2, the Partners And Kids Reading A-lot Together (PAKRAT) program, funded through the Local Education & Activities Foundation (LEAF), finished another successful summer of bringing quality literature to the children of District 7 42 and the St. Cloud area!

As part of our United Way grant in support of the summertime PAKRAT bus program, we report the number of children that are impacted by our efforts.  Sara Martini has compiled our June numbers to be submitted to the United Way.  During June, 980 children checked out 2,690 books from the PAKRAT Bus!

Attached pictures from the PAKRAT Bus show our intern Sean Reagan checking out books to children while Sara helps children make their selections.  

Thanks to Sara, Sean and all our volunteers on the PAKRAT Bus

PAKRAT’s  “Roll and Read” book bus begins its 2022 summer schedule on June 13th.

We’re bringing the PAKRAT Roll and Read Book Bus to a site near you this summer, and it’s completely free to check out books!

What:  The PAKRAT Roll and Read book bus will be coming to a neighborhood near you! Come check out your favorite books from the library on the bus!  Our book bus is open to children of all ages, birth through grade 8, and completely free!  We will also have a bag of math activities with math manipulatives for you to keep.

When:  Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons during the summer.  Please come to any location that is convenient for you.  Everyone is welcome at all stops!  The PAKRAT Book Bus will not run the week of July 4^th – July 8^th.

Returning Books:  We do not charge for lost books in the summer!  Our goal is to keep every child reading over the summer to prevent the summer slide.  You can return your books at any stop, any week during the summer or to any school in District 742 in the fall.

 Monday Dates:   June 13^th, 20^th, 27^th, July 11^th, 18^th, 25^th, August 1^st

  Tuesday Dates:   June 14^th, 21^st and 28^th, July 12^th, 19^th, 26^th, August 2^nd

 Wednesday Dates:   June 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th, July 13^th, 20^th, 27^th, August 3^rd

The Kiwanis Club recently donated $1,500 to LEAF.  The Club donated $500 of their gift to support the PAKRAT summer bus program.  As part of the Kiwanis 100^th Anniversary Celebration, $1,000 was donated to the Adopt a Classroom program to be split between four classrooms (100 students). One classroom will be at Lincoln, one at Madison and two at Talahi Elementary.  Over the years, the Kiwanis Club has been very supportive of LEAF programs.  Thanks Kiwanis!!

Pictured left to right are: Bruce Hentges-LEAF Executive Director, Cathy Wogen-President of the Kiwanis Club of St. Cloud, Nicole Hansen-Principal at Talahi, and Sara Martini-PAKRAT grant coordinator & LEAF board member

PAKRAT/PAKCAT Bus Continues to Roll!!

The 2021 PAKRAT/PAKCAT bus schedule begins on June 15th.