Students, advocates to join Sen. Valverde as State House dome goes red for dyslexia awareness
STATE HOUSE – Sen. Bridget G. Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, Narragansett, South Kingstown) will host Decoding Dyslexia Rhode Island and students from the Hamilton School at Wheeler in Providence Friday as the State House dome is illuminated in red to mark World Dyslexia Awareness Week in Rhode Island.
A brief ceremony will take place Friday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m. on the State House’s south steps (facing Providence Place Mall). The State House dome will be illuminated red through Oct. 20 in recognition of all those who learn differently and the families and teachers who support them.
The State House in one of a growing list of Rhode Island landmarks, including the Rhode Island Convention Center, Amica Mutual Pavillion, Providence Public Library, Providence Performing Arts Center, the Sakonnet River Bridge and more, that will be illuminated in red in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Week.
The State House event will feature students from the Hamilton School at Wheeler, which educates students with learning differences. Shannon Burley and Lise Moloney of Decoding Dyslexia RI will present an award to public school teacher Franca Bartkiewicz, and Senator Valverde will present Gov. Daniel McKee’s proclamation marking Dyslexia Awareness Week. Sammi Tulungen, youth services librarian at the Community Libraries of Providence Rochambeau Library, will speak on library offerings and her own personal experience. Also offering brief remarks will be Kari Kurto administrator of the Rhode Island Science of Reading, and Sarah Goldman, parent of a student with dyslexia who has spearheaded the effort to light Rhode Island red.
To learn more about dyslexia, visit Decoding Dyslexia Rhode Island’s website at www.ddri.org. For information about free screenings, professional development and other area resources, visit The Hamilton Institute at www.wheelerschool.org/hamilton-institute.
