SPANISH FORK — The 100% for Kids Credit Union Education Foundation awarded $9,452 to Nebo School District and $5,000 to Salem Elementary.

The school district will use the money to revamp its phonics program and assist students with lower reading skills.

"Vocabulary and comprehension are built into the core curriculum in secondary education, but phonemic awareness, phonics and fluency are not because it is anticipated that students have mastered those skills in elementary grades," said grant coordinator Marvele Tycksen. "The sad truth is that a significant percentage of students do not master those first three critical skills in early elementary grades so their reading ability continues to fall further and further below grade level, which impacts their performance in all other academic areas."

Salem Elementary will use its grant to develop a balanced literacy library.

The school's small library has only a few books on each reading level. Many copies are wearing out and need replacement.

This year, 100% for Kids reached the $4 million mark in grants money awarded to Utah schools since its inception in 2002.

To make a donation contact foundation coordinator Liz Bourne, 1805 S. Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84104, (801) 887-2329 or see www.100percentforkids.com.