Joined by an excited group of kindergartners who had just enjoyed
a special story time in the East Garner Elementary School media center, NC
Superintendent Mark Johnson today announced the state’s NC Reads initiative.
The launch of NC Reads will promote three goals for the
summer of 2017 to combat the summer brain drain:
* collect books, and funds for books, to donate to
preschoolers and students for summer reading;
* distribute free subscriptions for every student
in K-5 to myON, which provides each user with a personalized literacy
environment; and
* develop the NC Reads online resource to
seamlessly connect volunteers, donors, and stakeholders to literacy efforts and
programs across North Carolina.
As NC Reads continues beyond this summer, NC Reads will
expand to:
* encourage and support preschool literacy efforts
to ensure children are kindergarten ready;
* align the efforts of donors, volunteers, and
stakeholders to best support literacy in preschool and throughout school; and
* maintain a seamless continuum of literacy
support from preschool to graduation.
“All North
Carolinians can play a role in developing a state of readers,” said State
Superintendent Mark Johnson. “Every
parent or caretaker should take the time to read to their preschooler. Every
student needs access to books at home. NC Reads highlights literacy programs
and connects donors and volunteers to local opportunities to support literacy.”
This is the fifth consecutive year that the NC Department of
Public Instruction has encouraged local communities to collect or purchase and
distribute appropriate books to elementary school students. A revamped website will provide a clearinghouse of local book drive sponsors
so that volunteers and donations can be connected to local organizations that
sponsor local book drives and fundraising efforts.
Johnson
noted that, beyond community engagement and donations for students, NC Reads
will focus on providing books to preschoolers and encouraging adults to read to
their children. “Consistently reading to
our youngest from the very start is an important way that adults can help their
children be ready for kindergarten and beyond,” Johnson said. “We will partner with hospitals,
pediatricians, preschools, and others who serve our state’s youngest learners
so that we make sure books are read in every preschooler’s home.”
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