FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2016
FIRST LADY ANN SCOTT CONTINUES SUMMER LITERACY ADVENTURE
~Encourages students to keep up their
reading skills over summer break~
KEY LARGO,
Fla. – Today, First
Lady Ann Scott shared her passion for reading with students from the YMCA of
Key Largo at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This is the sixth
consecutive year that the First Lady has participated in the Summer Literacy
Adventure, an initiative to boost students’ interest in summer reading.
First Lady Ann
Scott said, “Summer is the perfect time for Florida families to take advantage
of Florida’s expansive state park system and to journey through books that
enable us to use our imaginations to travel far beyond. There are so many
interesting books featuring Florida and our impressive natural treasures, and I
hope that everyone from parents and grandparents to educators and summer camp
leaders will help the children in their lives remain engaged in reading
throughout the summer.”
The First Lady
was joined by representatives from the Florida Department of Education, the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Lottery. The
Department of Environmental Protection generously provided state park passes
for the student participants and a Florida Lottery sponsorship made it possible
for all students to leave with a goody bag containing books and a reusable
water bottle.
Commissioner of
Education Pam Stewart said, “First Lady Scott sets a great example for
Florida’s students, and we are fortunate to have her as a strong advocate for
lifelong reading and lifelong learning. The Summer Literacy Adventure is a
great way to show our state’s students that literacy is exciting while working
to ensure they retain and enhance the knowledge and skills they gained during
the school year.”
Lottery
Secretary Tom Delacenserie said, “Education is the Florida Lottery’s top
priority, and we are proud to support the 2016 Summer Literacy Adventure. The
summer months are a wonderful time for Florida’s students to further develop
their love of reading.”
The
2016 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.
Donald
Forgione, Director of the Florida Park Service, said, “I am excited to welcome
First Lady Ann Scott to the first underwater park in the United States. While
experiencing the joys of literacy, children can also explore the park’s
30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium – a world of wonder only matched by
imagination.”
Students can fill out their Summer Literacy Adventure Pledge
form at 2016 Summer Literacy Adventure. At the
start of 2016-2017 academic year, First Lady Scott will visit the school whose
students successfully completed the most pledges.
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