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State schools encouraged to participate in ‘Read to Me’ day

By Staff | Nov 3, 2011

CHARLESTON, W.Va. Do you read aloud to your children? Is there ever a time when children are too old to be read to? West Virginia Superintendent Jorea Marple doesn’t think so. A firm believer in reading aloud, even at the upper grade levels, Marple is encouraging teachers, parents and community members to help children improve their reading abilities by participating in Read to Me Day on Nov. 17.

“We must work diligently to raise everyone’s understanding of the importance of reading for enjoyment each and every day,” Marple said. “One way we can do that is to model that we enjoy and value reading. Read to Me Day is an excellent time for all of us to send a strong message to 280,000 students that it matters whether you are developing the habit and the love for reading.”

As part of the festivities, teachers are encouraged to have their students tell the Department of Education what their favorite book is and why. E-mails can be sent to ehjack@access.k12.wv.us. Tweets about what students are reading also can be sent on Twitter at #ReadWV.

Read to Me Day is but one of the many opportunities West Virginia schools can participate in as West Virginia works to make reading a priority in our schools and our homes through www.readwv.com. The Read WV campaign is designed to encourage children and the adults in their lives to make reading a priority early in life and to ensure that children read every day.

“Reading well is one of the most important skills a child needs to learn,” Marple said. “When children become good readers in the early grades, they are more likely to perform well in other subjects and all through their school days. It is the key building block to developing skills that lead to college and career success.”

In recent years, the state Board of Education recognized that too many West Virginia children come to school from homes where reading is not commonplace. The board refined its education goals by reaffirming the importance of “readying children to learn” and “teaching all children to read.” While progress has been made, Read WV acknowledges more can be done. By encouraging parents to read with their children, Read WV strives to increase the literacy of all West Virginians.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications at (304) 558-2699.