June 2025 Newsletter

“Fostering family through developing partnerships between communities and public schools.” That’s the mission statement for All District Reads. But it’s the stories that result from these partnerships that truly reflect the power of district-wide reading programs.

This month, ADR Founder Gary Anderson shares a story about a bus driver from a school district that was reading the same book together. The bus driver said: “I have been transporting children for this school for more than 25 years. My granddaughter, who rides my bus, brought home a book and said her teacher told her that she was to listen as her mom (my daughter) read it aloud to her. My daughter lives with me. She’s a waitress and works at night, so I filled in and read the first chapter of The World According to Humphrey to my granddaughter. The next morning when I started picking up the other elementary children, all of them were talking about the book. It was awesome! Now, every morning we talk about the chapter we read the night before. I’m no longer just transporting children; I’m part of their education.”

Footnote: When the bus driver took off a few days for a medical issue, the substitute drivers found a copy of the book on the driver’s seat, marked with the chapters they were to cover in her absence and a list of discussion questions for each chapter. And the book talk continued! Amazing!

All District Reads was one of three nonprofits featured at the Rotary Club of Norfolk’s Suds & Buds event at Norfolk Botanical Garden on May 22nd. More than 400 people took advantage of a sunny evening and gentle breeze to admire the garden’s display of roses and other blooms, while also enjoying music by Lewis McGehee and tasty treats from a variety of food trucks.

All District Reads had a booth at the event. Community Literacy Leader and ADR Board Member Kurt Krause had the chance to address the attendees and share the amazing impact that ADR has had on Norfolk Public Schools. Many listeners stopped by our table afterwards to learn more about our program and pick up books.

“The response we received affirmed a simple truth: People care deeply about children’s literacy,” said Krause. “All District Reads is not just a program—it’s a movement gaining momentum in every community we touch.”

TowneBank served as lead sponsor for Suds & Buds, with Virginia Natural Gas as supporting sponsor. Proceeds from the event supported three local charities—Norfolk Rotary Charities, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and All District Reads. ADR truly appreciates the financial support, as well as the opportunity to spread the word about our program.

“All Suffolk Reads emphasizes the importance of reading for pleasure. This makes it a perfect complement to our other programs. Families love that it establishes a regular time each evening to unplug and share a story together.” This quote from an article written by Suffolk Public Schools Superintendent John B. Gordon III, appearing in the June issue of AASA’s School Administrator Magazine, sums up the value of a district-wide reading program.

Gordon notes that All Suffolk Reads accomplishes several key purposes: 1) improving student literacy, 2) engaging parents, and 3) boosting community involvement. He outlines key steps in implementing a successful district-wide reading program and describes some of the benefits.

Gordon says that Suffolk has seen an increase of 4-5 percent in reading scores over the past couple of years, adding that All Suffolk Reads is “certainly an important piece” of that success. He also cites the role that All District Reads plays in the success of Suffolk’s program.

The All Suffolk Reads program “stimulates community involvement, parental involvement, and boosts student interest in reading for pleasure,” Gordon concludes. “It’s hard to ask more of a program than that.” Read the full article here.

Reading may not be the first activity that students think about during summer vacation. But summer reading can help students keep their skills sharp until school begins again. It can encourage them to explore new interests. And it can be fun!

The nonprofit Reading Rockets website offers tips for parents to help encourage kids to keep reading during the summer. Here is a sampling of these ideas:

• Read aloud together with your child every day. (Note: If they participated in an All District Reads program this spring, this will keep the family reading habit going.)
• Set a good example. Let your children see you model the importance of reading.
• Read the same book your child is reading and discuss it. (Note: Again, this builds on the habits built during the All Districts Reads program.)
• Subscribe, in your child’s name, to high-quality children’s magazines.
• Take your children to the library regularly. Most libraries sponsor summer reading clubs with easy-to-reach goals for preschool and school-age children. Check the library calendar for special reading activities and events.

Note: Here’s another tip for finding great books for your family to read together this summer. While browsing the collections at your local library, check out some of the books spotlighted on this page of the All District Reads website. As you read them, think of the impact All District Reads has made with these books and consider a donation. Whether one time or monthly, you are helping to light literacy fires in local homes.

“Reading aloud to your children is a gift that will last a lifetime.”

– Maya Angelou, author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and many other works