St. Apollinaris students

prove 'reading is giving'

Almost 300 students from kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Apollinaris Catholic School are helping others while helping themselves by participating in Scholastic Book Clubs ClassroomsCare, a nationwide, philanthropy-based literacy campaign to teach children the joys and importance of reading and giving.

For every 100 books read, Scholastic Book Clubs, a division of Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, will donate 100 books (up to 1 million new books) to disadvantaged children nationwide.

The children at St. Apollinaris School read 400 books and are thrilled to know they will be helping build the libraries for children in need.

"The ClassroomsCare program offers both students and teachers an opportunity to celebrate the importance of reading and sharing," said Pat Granucci, principal at St. Apollinaris School. "Our children feel a tremendous sense of joy knowing that their reading efforts will bring happiness to the children who were affected by Hurricane Katrina."

"It's wonderful to see children helping children through the ClassroomsCare program," said Judy Newman, president, Scholastic Book Clubs. "Asking classes to read 100 books is a great way to get students to read more. And showing children -- for the first time in many cases -- that they can make a difference in the lives of others is so important. Through ClassroomsCare, the students of St. Apollinaris Catholic School aren't just reading, they're reading to give."

Teachers along with their students can log onto www.scholastic.com/classroomscare to learn more about the three charities.