Together We Can Read 2010

Imagine 98 classrooms reading Bellman Visits South Carolina together! Wow! Believe it or not, it is happening today and we can hardly believe it ourselves. Here's the press release from the City of Columbia:

Kickoff Held For Together We Can Read 2010

The City of Columbia, Richland School District One, and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce are collaborating in an effort to sponsor “Together We Can Read”, a reading day program to encourage children to learn the joys of reading. This is the second year of this successful education initiative. Officials from the City of Columbia and Richland School District One, as well as local celebrities and business leaders will be reading to third grade classes throughout the community on Thursday, March 25, 2010. There are approximately 98 classrooms and 1840 third grade students in Richland District One. Almost 100 volunteers will be in the classrooms, participating on Reading Day.

"Student achievement is our No. 1 priority in Richland One and literacy is our focus this year," said Richland One Superintendent Dr. Percy Mack. ""We are very appreciative of our guest readers for making time in their busy schedules to read to our students and help promote the importance of literacy and the joy of reading. We also want to thank the City of Columbia, under the leadership of Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, for its continued support of the Together We Can Read initiative."

Bellman Visits South Carolina by Brenda Richards and Brantley Parrott, is the book the guest readers will read. The book introduces students to key places and monuments across South Carolina. Ms. Richards is a retired Richland One elementary school teacher. She is also a product of Richland One Schools. Ms. Parrott is a product of Richland One education, having attended Meadowfield Elementary, Hand Middle School, and Dreher High School.

We are thrilled to have this opportunity to work with The City of Columbia, Richland District One, and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce to provide this incredible opportunity to the Richland One Third Graders. What an exciting day!

Bear Hugs!