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Bringing You All of the All District Reads News

Fall program launches, a new Executive Director and Board leaders, Suffolk students will receive their 5th book, labeling events, and more. All District Reads is on a roll! Read on to find out more about how ADR’s programs are impacting student literacy outcomes across southeastern Virginia. 

Fall ADR Programs Set to Launch
In the coming weeks, approximately 25,000 families in four school systems across southeastern Virginia will share the magic of reading together as fall All District Reads programs get underway. On September 9, All Norfolk Reads kicked off the reading of School Days According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney with launch events at schools across the system.

Starting on October 14, elementary students participating in All Northampton Reads will read The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary. Then, on October 21, all K-6 students participating in All Portsmouth Reads will begin reading School Days According to Humphrey. Last, but not least, on November 1 elementary students in All Suffolk Reads will begin reading The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney. 

Election of New Executive Director, Board Officers Highlights ADR Board Meeting
At a busy September 4 meeting, the All District Reads Board of Directors voted to install Mike Dillender as ADR’s Executive Director. Dillender replaces ADR Founder Gary Anderson, who will become Development Director and focus on continuing to expand the organization’s programs across southeastern Virginia and beyond. Read more details about Dillender’s appointment and Board Officer appointments in the link. READ MORE.

Community Champions Label More than 15,000 Books in Norfolk

Beer and books—always a great combination. At two “Tales and Ales” events at Smartmouth Brewing Co. in Norfolk, The Norfolk Rotary Club mobilized dozens of volunteers to label more than 15,000 copies of School Days According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney in preparation for the fall All District Reads program in Norfolk Public Schools. Volunteers enjoyed supporting the project. One mother attended with her rising third grader because the family had gotten so much out of reading Frindle. She saw “Tales and Ales” advertised on Facebook and knew she wanted to help out. Information regarding future labeling events can be found here.

All District Reads Featured on WTVZ

On September 15, WTVZ will feature All District Reads in a segment airing from 6:00 to 6:30 a.m. Our Issues Hampton Roads program host Rae Pearson Benn interviewed ADR founder Gary Anderson and ADR Executive Assistant Mike Dillender in June, and the program has aired monthly on WTVZ. Not an early bird? No worries; you can access the three segments of the ADR interview here, here, and here.

Support Grows for All District Reads
ADR could not be successful without all the support it has received from the community. In the three short years that All District Reads has been active, more than 220 individuals and organizations have helped to put more than 125,000 books in the hands of elementary students.

ADR also recently donations from the following organizations:

The Blocker Foundation

Beazley Foundation Inc

Instant Systems

The Breeden Company

Rivers Casino Portsmouth

 Watch future issues of the newsletter to see who is helping to Light Literacy Fires in our community.

If you are interested in learning about supporting All District Reads, please click here.