W.Va.'s Schools Encouraged to Participate in Read Across America Day

February 28, 2011

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Newly appointed state Superintendent Jorea Marple is encouraging schools across West Virginia to crack open a book and read as part of Read Across America Day.

The annual event, sponsored by the National Education Association, is celebrated on March 2, Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Experts often say Dr. Seuss epitomizes a love of children and learning. His use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful.

“As a former reading specialist, I know how important reading is to developing skills that lead to college and career success,” Marple said. “That’s why it’s important to encourage reading not only on Read Across America Day, but every day. I encourage parents to read to their children, have older children read to you, read aloud, read as a class, read as a family, just read.”

To honor the good doctor and celebrate the fun and value of reading, schools and literacy groups are bringing a nation of readers together through special events on Read Across America Day. At Montrose Elementary in South Charleston, students will celebrate all week. Events include wearing their Dr. Seuss hat or other silly hat to class and eating green eggs and ham for breakfast. At North Middle School in Martinsburg, the Cat in the Hat will read Dr. Seuss books in the Library Media Center as an introduction to rhyme while studying poetry. At Bluefield High School, students are encouraged to “Take 10 or More,” by devoting at least 10 minutes to reading.

“Encouraging children to read helps transform reading from a basic skill to a learned behavior and a lifelong habit,” Marple said.

To spur an interest in reading, the West Virginia Department of Education has launched Read WV, an online resource designed to promote literacy. The website includes information and links that can be used to help children not only learn to read better but to develop a love of reading. Access the website at http://wvde.state.wv.us/readwv.

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

--The West Virginia Board of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) are committed to ensuring all students in the state are college and career ready when they graduate from a public school. What West Virginia students are learning in school exceeds national and international standards. Through the WVDE’s 21^st century learning plan called “Global21: Students deserve it. The world demands it.,” West Virginia is seeing better student performance on the West Virginia Educational Standards Test 2 (WESTEST2); the SAT and the ACT college entrance exams; the job skills assessment called Work Keys given to career and technical education students; and in a high school graduation rate that exceeds the national average.

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