RIF INSTILLS A LOVE OF READING

Reading is fundamental. There's no doubt about it. That's why the Reading Is Fundamental program has been so successful year after year.

Four of Cape Girardeau's elementary school have participated in RIF for a decade. Three times each year, students are allowed to visit their school library and pick out a book for their very own. Students can choose from more than 100 titles.

RIF is a federal grant program that allocates money to local reading programs. Cape Girardeau sponsors -- the Kiwanis and Sam's Club -- play a crucial role as well.

Each year, about 1,220 students from kindergarten through sixth grade from Franklin, Jefferson, May Greene and Washington participate. These schools are able to participate because of the percentage of students meeting federal free and reduced lunch guidelines.

It would be nice if the program could be expanded in future years through private or school donations to include the other two elementary schools, Alma Schrader and Clippard.

A love of reading opens so many doors for children. Through programs like RIF, kids build their own libraries and learn that reading is not only fundamental, but fun.