WORDS: AnnaMaria Carleton, ELC Literacy Coordinator
The fantastic Deputy Friendly program implemented by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) three years ago just
continues to go from strength to strength!
Deputy Friendly is a reading program now taking place in 29 private and 11 public school early learning classrooms across the county.
ELC has now almost tripled the number of children being reached through this program since it began!
Deputy Friendly is designed to promote early literacy, and to build and enhance children’s relationships with local law enforcement.
Each month a Manatee County deputy goes into the classrooms to share a message with the children through reading. Each child
receives a copy of the book to take home to reinforce the message, as well as story extension activities to be used in the classroom.
Last month, the chosen book was Llama Llama and the Bully Goat. Through this story, the children saw the struggle of Llama Llama as
well as the lessons he learned through this experience. Bullying is a nationwide issue on playgrounds and in classrooms.
The topic is both sensitive and timely, and now more than ever needs to be addressed. For younger children, this book can help model
examples of good behavior and how it relates to their daily lives – especially when they have a deputy reading to them!
The children at Happy Cubs in Bradenton (below) enjoyed their latest reading session.
There was also a special treat for the children at Palma Sola Early Learning Center when the Pittsburgh Pirates mascot showed up to
help out ELC board member Captain Pat Cassella when he came along to read to them. (pictures next page)
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