Julia Roberts Goad
Staff Writer
Community members joined students at Riverside Elementary Thursday to celebrate the simple joy of sharing a story during the annual Read for the Record event.
Read for the Record is one day event coordinated by Jumpstart, a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community members to serve preschool children in low-income neighborhoods.
On Read for the Record day, millions of individuals come together to celebrate literacy and support Jumpstart in its efforts to promote early childhood education.
On October 4th, people across the country were encouraged to read the children’s book Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad, by David Soman and Jacky Davis.
In 2011, 2.2 million people participated in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record.
This year, 13 community members volunteered to read at Riverside, Parent Assistant Robin Griffey said, part of a very successful read aloud program at the school.
“We had people here reading throughout the day,” Griffey said. “Each of the classes heard the story, about 330 students. Our children have stories read to them every week, we have the most successful read aloud program in the county.”
The 2012 Read for the Record book was Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad. The plot revolves around a girl named Lulu, otherwise known as Ladybug Girl, as she gathers her friends Bumblebee Boy, Dragonfly Girl, and Butterfly Girl for some imaginary fun. Lulu and her friends learn about friendship, feelings, and courage.
Local attorney Chris Harris was one of the volunteers who read to a class.
“I really appreciated being invited,” Harris said. “I always enjoy spending time with kids, they say the funniest things.”
“It is exciting to see community members taking time from their day to share a love of reading,” Principal Paula Hinkle-Brown said.
Post a Comment
