School system launches new reading initiative

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 23, 2011

SALISBURY ó In an ongoing effort to continue celebrating and promoting literacy in schools, the Rowan-Salisbury School System is sponsoring a weeklong event titled, ěReading Matters.î
The week will begin Tuesday and run through Monday, Dec. 5. The theme is iREAD.
ěThe importance of reading cannot be measured,î said Superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom. ěReading has been and will continue to be one of the main focuses in our district.
ěIt is a fundamental and basic skill that students must have to learn and to be successful in life.î
Grissom said sheís been looking for a creative ways to engage students in reading.
ěWhen our districtís Media Director, Kelly Feimster, brought the ëReading Mattersí idea to the table, I knew this was just what I was looking for to promote reading in our district,î she said. ě ëReading Mattersíî is an event that our entire district is participating in and it offers a fun way for students to learn the value of reading.
ěI am excited and very impressed with the activities planned for the week. I am especially impressed with the contest entries submitted by our students.î
Each day, all students in kindergarten through 12th grades will listen to the same story being read by the same school system employee or community member via closed circuit TV or interactive white board. Students will also participate in activities both in and out of the classroom that relate to reading and the state curriculum.
Hereís the reading schedule:
Tuesday ó ěHow I Wished I Could Readî by John Gile
Wednesday ó ěA Bad Case of the Stripesî by David Shannon
Thursday ó ěMr. Duck Means Businessî by Tami Sauer
Friday, Dec. 2 ó ěCrazy Hair Dayî by Barney Saltzber
Monday, Dec. 5 ó ěMy Brotherís Sideî by Tiki and Ronde Barber
Following the theme of the book being read each day, students are invited to ědress in character.î
Dress up days are as follows:
Tuesday ó Read a T-shirt Day, wear a shirt that can be read
Wednesday ó Stripe Day, come dressed head to toe in stripes
Thursday ó Farmer Day, come dressed as a farmer
Friday, Dec. 2 ó Crazy Hair Day , wear your hair wild and crazy
Monday, Dec. 5 ó Jersey Day, wear a jersey to support your team
ěReading Mattersî will culminate with a Family Reading Night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 facilitated by middle and high school students for elementary students.
Family Reading Night will be hosted at five high schools throughout the school system as listed below for the following elementary schools:
East ó Morgan, Rockwell, Shive, Granite Quarry
Carson ó Bostian, Faith, Knollwood, Koontz
North ó Hanford-Dole, Overton, Isenberg
West ó Cleveland, Woodleaf, Mt. Ulla, Hurley
South ó Enochville, Millbridge, Landis, China Grove
The school with the highest attendance at Family Reading Night will win a visit from Ms. Frizzle and the Scholasticís Magic School Bus.
For more information, visit the districtís website at www.rss.k12.nc.us.