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October 31, 2024

Student literacy progress through Science of Reading fuels momentum in Strauss Literacy Initiative

By Blog, Elizabeth Djinis,

The term “dyslexia” was first used more than 130 years ago, by German ophthalmologist Rudolf Berlin. He first noticed something amiss when he began working with adult patients who…

December 6, 2023

Strauss Literacy Initiative's advisory council: a guiding light to literacy

By Blog, Elizabeth Djinis,

If the Strauss Literacy Initiative’s goal is to ensure that every child has the best possible chance of reading at grade level, then there is one ingredient that has proved pivotal: expe…

October 31, 2023

Empowering Students, One Phoneme at a Time

By Blog, Elizabeth Djinis,

In 2018, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County was provided a worthwhile opportunity with the establishment of the Strauss Literacy Initiative: to work with educators to provide a pathwa…

May 11, 2023

Improving Literacy Letter by Letter

By Blog, Elizabeth Djinis,

The teacher has a card with two letters on it: “Aw.” She faces it towards a group of five students seated at a blue semicircular table. “What other letter makes the ‘…

April 3, 2023

The ABCs of Legacy

By Blog, Roxie Jerde, Homepage Spotlight Item,

Some small, ordinary moments in life pack so much magic that they remain with us for a long time. I had such a moment this last week when visiting a local elementary school to experience the p…

December 13, 2021

Reimagining Opportunities for Struggling Readers of All Ages Through the Strauss Literacy Initiative

By Blog, Homepage - Blog, Community Foundation of Sarasota County,

Editor’s Note: In-depth research and exploratory pilot programs are guiding the Strauss Literacy Initiative, a collaborative effort managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County…

October 14, 2021

From Identification to Success: Supporting Students with Learning Differences at St. Mary Academy

By Blog, Homepage - Blog, Story of Impact - Featured, Community Foundation of Sarasota County,

Editor’s Note: In-depth research and exploratory pilot programs are helping develop the Strauss Literacy Initiative, a collaborative effort managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasot…

August 8, 2021

A Legacy of Literary and Learning Support Lives On

By Story, Roxie Jerde, Homepage Spotlight Item, Story of Impact - Featured,

Growing up, Patricia “Patti” Strauss found reading and writing uniquely challenging, yet for most of her life could never pinpoint why. After years of searching for answers with lo…

August 6, 2021

Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Local Partners Collaborate to Support Student Literacy and Teacher Professional Development to Inform Intervention Strategies, Help Predict Dyslexia

By Press Release,

Through the Strauss Literacy Initiative, families, teachers, and partners are reimagining opportunities for struggling readers at all ages to uncover many often undiagnosed with this learning…