ALL DISTRICT READS LETHBRIDGE
March 25th – April 9th, 2019
OUR VISION: strengthen literacy, family and community bonds
In March of 2019, Lethbridge School District No.51 will be initiating a “never been done in Canada” project called All District Reads. The project involves every student from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and every staff member in Lethbridge School District No. 51 being given a copy of the same book and reading the book at the same time. (This is the first time that a All District Reads project has been done with students all the way from Kindergarten to Grade 12.)
Our unique project will bring students, staff, families and community members together in a shared literary journey! This project will involve 40,000+ members of the community of Lethbridge. Not only will our community read the same book at the same time, but we will experience this gift of literacy through individual school activities, cross-school and cross-grade activities as well as District-wide activities. The overwhelming success of previous One School, One Book and Three Schools, One Book projects untaken in various schools in Lethbridge forms the foundation for this exciting new project!
In order make this project a reality, we will purchase approximately 13,000 copies of the book we have chosen for this project. We have received unprecedented support from the publisher Raincoast/Feiwel and Friends and the University of Lethbridge Bookstore in making this special purchase.
The book that has been chosen for this project is Wishtree by Newbery Award Winning Author Katherine Applegate. This book is just what our students, families and community needs to read. It deals with themes of friendship, tolerance and acceptance in a unique fashion and is relevant to our time. It is about family and community and it is perfect for a project aimed at strengthening literacy, family and community bonds!
This “grassroots” project has been initiated by a number of present and former educators in Lethbridge School District #51 (which have formed a “All District Reads Committee”) and has received the full support of the Trustees and Administration of the School District. The project is totally self-funded and relies entirely on the generosity of the community in sponsoring the project, especially as it relates to raising funds to purchase the 13,000 books needed for the students and staff of Lethbridge School District 51. To date, the All District Reads Committee has received contributions from a number of generous community minded individuals and businesses, including a significant contribution from Ron and Joyce Sakamoto. In total, we raised a total of $75,000 from the Lethbridge community. Then in January, we received a $75,000 Community Initiatives Program grant from the Alberta Government.
We welcome all people and groups to join us on this literacy journey! Book packages (book, reading schedule, bookmark, and letter from our Superintendent) will be available to purchase from the University of Lethbridge Book Store for $16.80. The books can be ordered on-line or by calling the U of L Bookstore. Pre-orders are being taken now and up to the end of the project. All District Reads Packages will be available just prior to the project which starts on March 25th and will be mailed out (at no additional cost) if people prefer.
We hope to create a magic and excitement in the City of Lethbridge by bringing the community together around a shared story and a shared experience.
We hope that you will join us in this very special All District Reads Lethbridge Project!
Sincerely,
Michelle Dimnik J
On behalf of the All District Reads Committee:
Catherine Thorsen, Ruth McMahon, Morgan Day, Lindsey Baird, Susan Keller and Michelle Dimnik