NECSD Superintendent Unveils District-Wide Scholastic Knowledge Libraries
The Newburgh Enlarged City School District proudly announces the ribbon cutting for its new district-wide Scholastic Knowledge Libraries, a research-based, innovative literacy resource designed to support students and educators through the implementation of the New York State literacy briefs that focus on the Science of Reading and their “Big 6” Skills and Competencies that includes: Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Comprehension, Fluency, Vocabulary.
Scholastic Knowledge Library was built on the work of top literacy thought leaders from across the education landscape. Their research and insights are the foundation of the Scholastic Knowledge Library.
Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell, this exciting initiative represents a significant investment in building a culture of literacy that extends beyond the classroom. As our scholars grow from learning to read to confidently reading to learn, these Knowledge Libraries will nurture their curiosity, strengthen their comprehension, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.
About the Scholastic Knowledge Library
Scholastic Knowledge Library is a structured literacy solution that elevates small-group instruction by integrating knowledge building with the essential literacy skills students need to become strong readers. The Scholastic Knowledge Library provides a curated collection of high-quality, content-rich texts designed to strengthen foundational literacy skills and deepen students’ understanding of the world around them. This valuable resource will support teachers in delivering small-group, differentiated instruction across the subject areas.
Through the Knowledge Library, students will have access to a broad range of age-appropriate, diverse texts that connect to science, social studies, art, and culture, helping them build the vocabulary, context, and critical thinking skills necessary for reading success. The collection encourages independent exploration while supporting teachers in delivering engaging, knowledge-based instruction across subject areas.
For Our Faculty and Staff
For teachers and instructional staff, the Knowledge Library serves as a professional learning and instructional resource that will:
- Support Science of Reading Implementation: Provide access to texts and teaching tools that align with evidence-based literacy instruction and district-wide reading initiatives.
- Offer Cross-Curricular Resources: Supply grade-level materials that integrate literacy into science, social studies, and the arts, helping educators connect reading with real-world knowledge.
- Facilitate Lesson Design and Collaboration: Enable teachers to co-plan units and design learning experiences that strengthen both decoding and comprehension skills through meaningful content.
- Encourage Professional Growth: Provide educators with access to professional texts, research materials, and instructional guides related to literacy, pedagogy, and the Science of Reading.
For Our Scholars
For students, the Scholastic Knowledge Library will be a space to:
- Small Group Instruction: Elevates teacher-managed small groups with engaging topics and representative texts.
- Connect Learning Across Subjects: Experience how reading connects to real-world topics, building background knowledge that enhances success in all academic areas.
- Build Knowledge Through Reading: Access curated sets of books and decodable texts that expand their understanding of key content areas and support knowledge acquisition. Focus areas range from ecosystems and innovation to civic engagement and global cultures.
Strengthen Reading Fluency and Comprehension: Engage with texts that are aligned with the Science of Reading, supporting both decoding and meaning-making through structured practice and discussion.
- Multi-lingual learners: Bolsters core ELA programming with cross-curricular knowledge-building text sets to support the volume of reading.
- Develop a Love for Reading: Explore diverse authors, perspectives, and genres that reflect students’ lives and broaden their explorations through reading.
- Diverse Texts: Supports equitable access to a range of diverse texts for all students with robust differentiation.
A Shared Commitment to Literacy
The ribbon cutting for the Scholastic Knowledge Library marks an important milestone in the district’s ongoing commitment to literacy and access to high-quality learning materials. By combining research-based practices with engaging, content-rich resources, the Knowledge Library will empower both teachers and students to read, think, and learn more deeply.
“The Scholastic Knowledge Library represents more than a collection of books and educational resources. The libraries are a cornerstone of our commitment to ensuring that every teacher has access to robust resources to educate our scholars effectively and that every student has access to the tools and knowledge they need to become confident, capable readers,” said Dr. Manning Campbell, Superintendent of Schools. “By grounding our literacy work in the Science of Reading and connecting it to real-world knowledge, we are not only teaching children how to read, but also helping them understand, question, and contribute to the world around them. This initiative is a testament to our belief that literacy is the foundation of opportunity for all scholars.”
“Every elementary school will be equipped with Scholastic Knowledge Libraries, providing students with rich opportunities to engage with a wide range of genres that are culturally inclusive and thoughtfully aligned to the Science of Reading. These libraries foster curiosity and a love of learning by exposing children to diverse voices, perspectives, and topics that reflect both their own experiences and the wider world. By grounding literacy in research-based practices, the Knowledge Libraries not only strengthen reading comprehension and fluency but also cultivate critical thinking, empathy, and a lifelong passion for reading.” Dr. Shannon O’Grady, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary
“I was excited to see that we have a Knowledge Library of books for our kindergarteners. A leveled set of thematic books is valuable because it helps young children develop early literacy skills, fosters a love of reading, and encourages curiosity and imagination.” Mrs. Erin Blanco, Kindergarten teacher, “I love the short story decodables! They are great for kindergarten students because they help children practice phonics and build confidence in reading. The simple, predictable text allows students to apply letter-sound knowledge while enjoying short, engaging stories. This combination strengthens early reading fluency, comprehension, and a positive attitude toward learning to read.”
“I am so excited to finally have some engaging, decodable texts that align to our science and social studies standards! The students are going to love exploring the vibrant picture books, and the decodable cards give me an opportunity to incorporate science and social studies into our reading conferences in a meaningful way!” Ms. Ashley Flannery, First Grade Teacher
The celebration featured remarks from district leaders, faculty, and students, as well as a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to officially open the space for our educators. Guests will be invited to tour the Library and explore its collection. This celebration and these Knowledge Libraries are a tangible reflection of the district’s focus on literacy and its vision of educating Every Goldback, Every Day.
PHOTOS | NECSD Superintendent Unveils District-Wide Scholastic Knowledge Libraries
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
