July 26, 2024
Nothing tops the magic of sharing a family reading experience together! Approximately 25,000 families in four school districts across southeastern Virginia experienced this magic this spring through the All District Reads program.
The following quote from Erin Collins, a parent and teacher in Northampton Public Schools, pretty much captures the “reading vibe” that the All District Reads program created: “I really liked having a book I could read at home with my kids and discuss it with my class as well. I like how it spanned all grade levels. Friendship According to Humphrey was a perfect story with a good message.”
All elementary families in Suffolk Public Schools read School Days According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney this spring, while elementary families in Northampton County Public Schools read Friendship According to Humphrey by the same author. Elementary families across Norfolk Public Schools read Frindle by Andrew Clements. Families of sixth-grade students in Portsmouth Public Schools shared the adventures of Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire by Sundee T. Frazier.
Students loved the experience! A student at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Suffolk built a house for the small stuffed Humphrey that accompanied the district-wide reading of School Days According to Humphrey. The student included a note: “Love yourself for who you are. Thank you for being kind.” Meanwhile, Madeline, a sixth-grade student in Northampton, said, “I liked the story. It was cute. I liked reading Humphrey as a family.”
Educators love the program, too. Dr. Elie Bracy III, division superintendent for Portsmouth Public Schools, commented in a Facebook post: “The doors of literacy open new worlds of possibility for readers—no matter what age. This is an opportunity for students and families to read together a fun and entertaining book and, as a result, hopefully inspire further experiences at home to support young readers.” This spring, all sixth-grade families in Portsmouth read Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire.
Watch for information about the fall All District Reads program to be posted soon.