For Immediate Release: Sept. 8, 2011
FLORIDA FIRST LADY
HONORS
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY
~Event commemorates reading and literacy at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park~
First Lady Ann Scott poses with Buck Lake Elementary School students dressed in their pajamas after a special reading of Llama Llama Red Pajama.
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Education joined
Florida’s First Lady Ann Scott in recognition
of International Literacy Day and Florida Literacy Month this morning at Alfred B.
Maclay Gardens
State Park. At a picnic
pavilion overlooking beautiful Lake Hall, Mrs. Scott read Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, this year’s Read for the
Record book, and spoke with students from local home schools and Buck Lake
Elementary about the importance of reading.
“Reading is a fundamental
component to help children succeed in the classroom,” said Mrs. Scott. “Opportunities to read and share stories with
students, especially at a Florida
State Park, are great
ways to encourage literacy.”
Following
Mrs. Scott’s reading, participating students were given an interactive,
educational tour of Maclay Gardens State Park by two park rangers, participated
in a hands-on craft project sponsored by Michael’s craft stores and enjoyed
refreshments provided by Earth Fare. Each student received a copy of the Read
for the Record book read by Mrs. Scott, Llama
Llama Red Pajama, courtesy of the Pearson Foundation.
“Reading and being in
nature are two of life’s greatest pleasures and state parks are the perfect
place to combine both,” said Maclay Gardens State Park Manager Beth Weidner.
“We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Scott today for a morning of reading in the park
and hope to see people enjoy the park for free on Sunday.”
Studies
have consistently shown that students who read throughout the year are able to
retain their knowledge and continue to learn. Today’s event recognized Sept. 8
as International Literacy Day and Florida Literacy Month and also reflected on
the successful Summer Literacy Adventure the First Lady pioneered this summer
for students to pledge to read throughout the state during summer break. The
winning school of the contest will be announced later this year and each student
will receive one day-use pass to Florida State Parks.
“Florida
Literacy Month serves as an excellent reminder to share our passion for reading
with family and friends,” said Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson.
“Venues as beautiful as our state parks can serve as imaginative backdrops for
our students to further their literacy skills, and I applaud the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection for their continued partnership in the
education of our students.”
To
celebrate Florida Literacy Month and in conjunction with National Library Card
Signup Month and International Literacy Day, DEP’s Florida Park Service will
offer free entrance to all Florida State Parks* on Sunday, Sept. 11, with the
presentation of a library book or library card or with the donation of a new or
gently used family-friendly book. State parks across Florida will host literacy related events to
recognize Florida Literacy Month throughout September. For a full listing of
events, visit the events
calendar on the Florida State Parks Online Park Guide.
*This offer does not include Skyway Fishing
Pier State
Park in St.
Petersburg.
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