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The Phillie Phanatic is the star of five children's books and as a result has helped turn his love of reading into the exciting Be a Phanatic About Reading literacy program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program, which is presented by Verizon, has reached over 200,000 children since it began in September 2004. It was created to encourage children to improve their literacy skills by reading for a minimum of 15 minutes a day.

The program is divided into two levels: one for children in grades K through 3 and the other for grades 4 through 8. Children will be asked to spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day reading whatever book they select. Younger children will be given Phanatic coloring sheets to color in once they have attained their goal while older children will be asked to record the book they read and write a few sentences on their favorite part of the book. The Phillie Phanatic will make a special visit to the top performing schools. To qualify for a Phanatic visit, children will report their progress to their teachers who in turn will tell the Phillies how the children have done in their reading endeavors. From that progress report, schools will be selected for a school visit.

Upon registration classrooms receive:
• Rules of the Be a Phanatic About Reading Program
• Be a Phanatic About Reading Bookmarks
• A Phanatic pencil for each student
• Coloring sheets for the younger children, writing sheets for the older children
• Evaluation form for the teacher
• Most Improved and Most Outstanding Reader nomination forms
• A favorite book nomination form for all students

This year the Be a Phanatic About Reading program is going to be better than ever and the Phanatic does not want you or your students to miss out on the fun. For information on how to register, e-mail fandev@phillies.com or call 215.463.1000.

Classrooms have the opportunity to win a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic. To qualify for a Phanatic visit, children will report their progress to their teachers who in turn will tell the Phillies how the children have done in their reading endeavors. From that progress report, the top performing classrooms/schools will be selected for a Phanatic visit. Visits will be scheduled between January and May.




The Phanatic loves to honor children dedicated to reading and we will again hold a special Be a Phanatic About Reading Literacy Night during the Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park at a to be determined Phillies game. Be a Phanatic About Reading will feature a special pregame ceremony honoring the ten Most Improved and ten Most Outstanding Readers selected from teacher nominations. All students and teachers participating in the Be a Phanatic About Reading program will receive a special ticket offer.




This program has been terrific for reluctant readers. It has been especially rewarding for students that were not motivated readers. It has been rewarding to watch these young readers become more fluent readers.

I used the reading program as an incentive to motivate my students to read. The program was just, simply, fun! Everyone loves the Phanatic and anything to do with him.

I have used the program since September. My students have actively kept the reading log to show their reading. Thank you very much. I will look forward to doing this awesome program again next year.

I would like to commend you and the Phillies organization for taking part in such an important area of student development. As a Reading Specialist, I am thrilled to see organizations that kids so passionately care for,develop programs to encourage the whole child! I am equally as impressed with the knowledge of reading research that is included in your letter.

Thank you for providing my class with this opportunity. They are really enjoying the challenge. I am proud to see that I am seeing many of my students showing a greater interest in reading.

• Abington • Allentown • Alloway • Arch Diocese of Philadelphia • Avon Grove • Bellmawr Borough • Bensalem • Berlin Borough • Bethlehem Area • Boyertown • Brandywine • Bridgeton • Bristol Township • Brooklawn • Burlington Township • Camden • Camden Diocese • Central Bucks • Cheltenham • Cherry Hill • Chester Upland • Chichester • Coatesville Area • Collinswood • Colonial • Council Rock • Cumberland Valley • Daniel Boone • Dennis Township • Diocese of Allentown • Diocese of Wilmington • East Penn • Edgewater Park • Egg Harbor City • Egg Harbor Township • Elsinboro Township • Evesham Township • Ewing Township • Exeter Township • Florence Township

• Galloway Township • Garnet Valley • Gateway • Glassboro • Gloucester City • Gloucester Township • Great Valley • Haddon Township • Hammonton • Harrison Township • Hatboro-Horsham • Interboro • Kennett Consolidated • Keystone Central • Kutztown • Lacey Township • Laurel Springs • Lehighton Area • Lower Merion • Lower Moreland • Manheim Central • Mantua Township • Marple Newtown • Medford • Medford Lakes • Medford Township • Methacton • Middle Township • Milton Hershey School • Mount Ephraim • Mount Laurel • Neshaminy • Norristown Area • North Hanover Township • North Penn • Northampton Area School District • Oaklyn • Owen J. Roberts • Oxford Area • Paulsboro

• Penn-Delco •Pennridge •Pennsauken •Pennsbury •Pennsville •Perkiomen Valley •Philadelphia • Phoenixville Area • Pine Hill • Pitman • Quakertown • Reading • Ridley • Riverside • Rose Tree Media • Runnemede • Salem • Schuylkill Haven Area • Souderton Area • Springfield • Springford • Stratford School District • Tredyffrin/Easttown • Unionville-Chadds Ford • Upper Merion Area • Upper Darby • Upper Deerfield • Vineland • Voorhees • Wallingford-Swarthmore • Warwick • Washington Township • Wenonah • West Chester Area • West Deptford Township • William Penn • Williams Valley • Woodbury • Woodlynne • Woodstown-Pilesgrove

Tell the Phanatic what you like to read!
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"The Adventures of Super Phanatic" click here »