Students at Harry S Truman Elementary School and Western Salisbury Elementary School are, for the second year, participating in “The Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program,” a national initiative founded by Julia Burney Witherspoon, a police officer from Racine, Wis.

Students and families bring in books which will be donated to students in need.

In 2003, the program was formally adopted by Quota International of Bethlehem, establishing the Quota International of Bethlehem Charitable Trust Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program.

Beverly Bradley is president of Cops ‘n’ Kids Lehigh Valley

According to its website, Cops ‘n’ Kids ensures every child has access – in his or her home – to books and the knowledge, inspiration and hope such access can provide. The organization also encourages positive relationships between children and police and inspires creative learning for children and families by providing meaningful literacy-based experiences.

Cops ‘n’ Kids is a nonprofit organization funded through the dedication of the board, staff, volunteers and by the generous support of the community.

At an assembly at WSE Feb. 24, Bradley told students the organization gave out its 778,000th book in the Lehigh Valley in January.

Police Chief Allen W. Stiles talked with students and said he is a “voracious reader.” School Resource Officer Richard Nothstein was also in attendance. Stiles said police personnel will be reading to the students at various times throughout this campaign.

High school students from the Key Club and Literary Club also attended the assembly and told the students their favorite book as a child, their plans for the future and which elementary school they attended.

High school students who attended the WSE assembly included Amanda Benko, Juliana Cusumano, Alexander Diamond, Amanda Hirst, Felicity Koch, Abigail Leonardo, Paige Mathieu, Zoe Peckelun, Skylar Slough, Xavier Ramos, Vivian Rogers, Ellis Marrero, Jaxon Costello, James Hadinger, Auggie D’Ancona, Vince D’Ancona, Abby Gross, Ethan Heydt, John Yurconic, Ali Hankee and Mason Groff. Following the assembly, the high school students read to elementary students in their classrooms.

High school students attending the Feb. 27 at HST were Benko, Cusumano, Diamond, Hirst, Koch, Leonardo, Mathieu, Ziahnnah McKenzie, Peckelun, Slough, Shane Donaldson, Ramos, Dominique, Rogers, James Hadinger, Hailey Omollo, Auggie D’Ancona, Vince D’Ancona, Gross, Groff and Yurconic.

The Salisbury Falcon also attended the WSE assembly assisted by Lenny Dominique.

Last year, students at WSE collected 1,200 books. The goal this year is 1,300 books. If the students reach their goal, a teacher will dye their hair in front of the students. Each week, the students will be given a clue as to who the teacher is.

Last year, students at HST collected 1,300 books. The goal this year is 1,400 books. If the students reach their goal, a secret staff member is willing to do something “crazy and wild.”

The program is being coordinated at both schools by elementary gifted support teacher Kristy Wied.