Pewamo-Westphalia Schools recently was awarded a grant from The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation to assist in creating a 7th and 8th Grade Reading Challenge. The school has already successfully established a 6th Grade Reading Challenge leading to improved testing scores. The grant will help purchase books and other materials to implement the program at the two higher grades. The check presentation included (from left) Ryan Portenga, Pewamo-Westphalia M

The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation proudly presented a recent grant to E.E. Knight Elementary School in the Ovid-Elsie District to support its Book Vending Machine. The grant will help the school continue to restock the vending machine for the school's 300 students. Taking part in the check presentation (from left to right) were Jim Nowak, Foundation treasurer; Felicia Gingrich, E.E. Knight principal; Morgan Alexander, school counselor; and Emily Pal

Oakview South Elementary in St. Johns will be purchasing books for the school's book vending machine with the help of a recent grant from The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation. The school is implementing a Book Vending Machine Literacy Incentive Program that connects positive student behavior with increased access to books. Participating in the check presentation (from left to right) were Jim Nowak, Foundation treasurer; Tammy Wilson, Oakview South teac

The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation has awarded Scott Elementary School in DeWitt with a grant to support the development of a monthly book club for second and third graders. The club will focus on enrichment opportunities for the school’s higher readers, who often are overlooked because they are reading beyond grade level. Participating in the check presentation (from left) were Foundation Treasurer Jim Nowak and Special Education Teacher at Scott El

Gateway North Elementary School in St. Johns will be using a grant from The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation to supplement its At-Home Reading Enrichment Program. The grant will assist with purchasing a selection of books for students to take home, with the goal of encouraging literacy engagement between the students and their families. Gateway staff recently accepted the grant from Foundation President Emily Palmatier (on the right).

The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation proudly presented a grant to Eureka Elementary School in St. Johns to assist in the purchase of books and other materials to support its Family Literacy Night in conjunction with March is Reading Month. The Literacy Night theme was “Escape the Rainforest”. Presenting the check to school staff was (on the left) Foundation President Emily Palmatier.

Bath Elementary School was recently the recipient of a grant from The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation. The grant will assist the school in purchasing books to build interest and engagement during it’s March is Reading Month Challenge. Presenting the check was Foundation President Emily Palmatier (on the right).

Erin Beasley, a Fourth Grade Teacher at Charlotte Upper Elementary School, was recently awarded a grant by The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation to help her purchase a Flocabulary Lite subscription. The service helps teachers engage students by integrating music and storytelling to improve comprehension, literacy, and critical thinking skills. Attending the check presentation were (from left to right) Jim Nowak, Foundation founder and treasurer; Erin Be

The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation is proud to have recently awarded a grant to Maple Valley Schools in Eaton County, to assist in purchasing books and prizes for March is Reading Month and also to help with organizing the district’s Family Literacy Night. Attending the check presentation were (from left to right) Jim Nowak, Foundation founder and treasurer; Michelle Poole, administrative assistant for Maple Valley Schools; and Nate Leale, Foundation

The Ovid-Elsie School District was recently awarded a grant by The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation to help the district kick off March is Reading Month. The grant will assist Leonard Elementary in Ovid and E.E. Knight Elementary in Elsie as they team up with the Detroit Pistons to conduct a fun and energetic assembly around literacy for all of the students at both schools. The partnership will also include tickets for some families in the District to

The Story Continues: The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation recently awarded a grant to St. Johns Middle School (SJMS) to assist them in purchasing books in Spanish to support their multilingual learners. Attending the check presentation were (from left to right) Jim Nowak, Foundation founder and treasurer; Liane Matson, teacher and languages department chair at SJMS; and Andrea Hallead, principal at SJMS.

The Cortney Nowak Literacy Foundation presented its first scholarship to 2025 DeWitt High School graduating senior Alanna Bennett. Alanna was chosen as the scholarship recipient based on the application and essay that she submitted. The scholarship was presented by Foundation Board President Emily Palmatier and Board Treasurer Jim Nowak, during the DeWitt Senior Awards Night.