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At New Haven Reads, our work is made possible thanks to enduring and enriching community partnerships. Our 8th Annual Spelling Bee is no different.

Please take a moment to view our slideshow of 2019 sponsors, and to learn more about each of the businesses, individuals, and institutions that choose to support our mission!

You may also view or download a full copy of our Spelling Bee program here.

When students arrive at Ms. Audra’s classroom in Science Park, they’re used to finding a Riddle of the Week to solve, like, “What travels all around the world but stays in one place?” Since mid-September, Ms. Audra has been using the real estate on her whiteboard to put forth another challenge: “Let’s learn Spanish!”

Each week, in honor of National Hispanic American Heritage Month, students can practice a different phrase, like “Mi nombre es…” or “Me gusto leer.” 

National Hispanic American Heritage Month runs from Sept 15 to Oct. 15, to honor Hispanic culture and to pay “tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched” communities throughout our nation. More than 56.6 million people in the United States are Hispanic, which adds up to about 18 percent of the population, and here at New Haven Reads, 40 percent percent of our students are Hispanic. 

While we strive to celebrate Hispanic culture year-long, this special month gives us another reason to shine a light on the rich stories, heroes, artwork, and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans and Hispanic countries across the world. As always, our favorite way to celebrate is with books and language—from Ms. Audra’s mini lesson in Spanish, to curated book displays at each of our tutoring sites.

At our Willow Street site, Ms. Carol was proud to top the bookshelves with a wide range of titles to ring in National Hispanic American Heritage Months, from biographies on Frida Kahlo to an illustrated compilation of Latin American folktales called The Dragon Slayer. 

Want to donate diverse titles for New Haven Reads to redistribute free of charge into the community? Or explore our existing selection? Learn more about contributions here, and visit our Bristol Street Book Bank during the following hours: 

Monday to Wednesday: 1 – 7 p.m.
Thursday: 1 – 6 p.m.
Friday: 12 – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Almost 40 years ago, Jacques Bailly⁠ won the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee with the word elucubrate. We’re thinking about words even more than usual at New Haven Reads, as we prepare to test the mettle of competitors in our own Spelling Bee next month. This particular word stood out. 

Why? Elucubrate means “to burn the midnight oil,” so to speak—or, literally: “To produce by long and intensive effort.” And that’s a great way to describe the work that goes into our annual Spelling Bee.

When folks swarm the Yale School of Management on Oct. 25, whether to compete for our 8th annual trophy or cheer from the audience, they’ll experience an unforgettable night that represents the combined efforts of so many community members. Our partners make our Spelling Bee possible, and we couldn’t be more thankful. 

This year, we’re proud to call these Greater New Haven organizations and individuals our Spelling Bee sponsors:

2019 Gold Sponsors

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Silver Sponsors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Bronze Sponsors

We hold our annual Spelling Bee to raise funds for year-long literacy programs that we provide, free of charge, to students and families in the community. That’s why our sponsors support our work, too—like Claire Criscuolo, the owner of Claire’s Corner Copia. 

“I’ve seen first hand the way your work changes lives! Actually changes lives.”

Claire Criscuolo, Bronze Spelling Bee Sponsor

Claire recently shared with us the story of Angel: the son of one of Claire’s long-time team members at the restaurant. Angel was having a tough time in school because of his low reading scores.

“As we know,” Claire says, “if you can’t read well, you can’t do as well in school.” That’s because literacy is a fundamental building block for all education that follows—so Claire and her coworker tried everything they could to help Angel become a stronger reader. Eventually, they found Angel an opening at New Haven Reads. 

“Even after just the first year, his confidence was in line with his success in reading,” Claire says. “I could see it in his everyday actions: he felt more comfortable speaking and engaging, and he started to enjoy school. This is huge!”

Today, Angel is a senior at Eli Whitney Technical School in New Haven, on track to become an electrician. In his time outside of class, Angel shares what he’s learned from New Haven Reads with his younger brother Jacob—also an NHR student—by encouraging and guiding him in literacy practice at home. 

“We all benefit when we allow every child to reach their full potential,” Claire says. “And that’s sustainable!”

To learn more about our sponsors and why they support New Haven Reads, follow along on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as we count down to the 8th Annual Spelling Bee on Oct. 25. Want to compete? Team spots are going fast! Register your three-person team here for $225, and remember: 100 percent of proceeds go toward free New Haven Reads literacy programs.