News

To kick off spring break, students at Big Creek Elementary gathered for a special assembly in which all students received a copy of Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck. For three weeks, beginning on Monday, March 24th, students and families will read the book together at home while celebrating and exploring the novel at school. It’s all part of a unique, national family literacy program called One School, One Book from the non-profit Read to Them designed to strengthen the educational connection between home and school.

“Reading a common book together turns out to be a terrific way to unite a school community and increase parental involvement.  Reading aloud at home ensures students come to school prepared to read and to succeed – in school and in life,” explains Read to Them Director of Programs, Bruce Coffey.

Big Creek Elementary will join the schools and districts across North America that have undertaken this family literacy strategy. Families will read and discuss the story of Malcolm, and all of the members of The Midnight Academy, at home. In school, students will experience dynamic assemblies, answer trivia questions, and engage in creative extension activities.

One School One Book is the flagship program of Read to Them, a national non-profit based in Richmond, Virginia. The organization’s mission is to create a culture of literacy in every community.

“The secret sauce of family literacy is to create a symbiosis between home and school.  When students see their book being read and shared and discussed at home and school, they are surrounded by the culture of literacy,” explains Read to Them Director of Programs, Bruce Coffey.

Read to Them’s family literacy programs have reached over 2 million families in over 3,000 schools in all 50 states (and 6 Canadian provinces). A continually growing body of research demonstrates that children who are read to at home are better prepared to read, succeed in school, and graduate. To learn more, visit the official website at: www.readtothem.org.