FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2014
FIRST
LADY ANN SCOTT MAKES SECOND STOP ON SUMMER LITERACY ADVENTURE
 TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s First Lady Ann Scott
made her second stop of the 2014 Summer Literacy Adventure today at Fort George
Island Cultural State Park in Duval County. During her visit, she read "The
Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle," by Lynne Cherry to more than
70 summer camp students. This is the First Lady’s fourth consecutive year
participating in the Summer Literacy Adventure.
“With a book, you can go
anywhere and become anyone you could imagine,” said First Lady Ann Scott. “I
hope all Florida students will find time this summer to take an exciting
adventure through reading.”
First Lady Scott encouraged
students to keep reading during the summer months and challenged them to sign
up for the Summer Literacy Adventure Pledge to read as many books as possible.
She was joined by representatives from the Florida Department of Education and
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
A site of human occupation for
more than 5,000 years, Fort George Island was named for a 1736 fort built to
defend the southern flank of Georgia when it was a colony. Today, visitors come
for boating, fishing, off-road bicycling and hiking. A key attraction is the
restored Ribault Club.
“It is my pleasure to welcome
children and First Lady Ann Scott to Fort George Island Cultural State Park to
share the joy of reading,” said Donald Forgione, director of the Florida Park
Service. “Bridging the summer learning gap is important to keep children
achieving in the classroom, and the state parks are a great place for kids to
explore and continue learning through the summer months.”
The 2014 Summer Literacy
Adventure helps keep Florida students excited about reading and literacy.
Research shows that children who do not continue reading through the summer can
lose a month or more of progress made during the school year. By encouraging
their children to read, parents play an important role in ensuring every child
reads at or above grade level.
“We must read to children of
all ages, have them read by themselves and talk about the books they have read
during the summer,” said Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. “Summer reading
and book discussions will help maintain reading skills, improve reading fluency
and provide the opportunity to learn new vocabulary and concepts. Most
importantly, when parents and children enjoy summer reading together, children
develop a love of books and reading that lasts a lifetime.”
The Florida Lottery generously
donated books to all students in attendance at today’s event.
“Supporting
education is the Florida Lottery’s top priority,” said Lottery Secretary
Cynthia O’Connell. “Programs like the Summer Literacy Adventure take our
students on a learning journey that leads them to a brighter future.”
Students can fill out their
Summer Literacy Adventure Pledge form at www.JustReadFamilies.org. At
the start of 2014 – 2015 academic year, First Lady Scott will visit the school
whose students successfully completed the most pledges.
For more information,
visit 2014 Summer Literacy Adventure.
In
photo: First Lady Ann Scott reading to children at Fort George Island Cultural
State Park.
For more information about the
Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
For more information about
Florida State Parks visit, www.floridastateparks.org.
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