'TOGETHER WE CAN...READ’ BRINGS GUEST READERS INTO DISTRICT CLASSROOMS

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More than 100 guest readers promoted the joy of reading and the importance of developing good reading skills as participants in the first-ever Together We Can...Read initiative.

Guest readers went into every third-grade classroom in Richland One’s 28 elementary schools on March 19 to read Charley’s Columbia Backyard to students. The book, written by Caroline Coleman Bennett, is designated as the City of Columbia’s official children’s book. Each third-grader received a copy of the book to take home as well as a packet for their parents to use to do follow-up activities with their children.

"We are very appreciative of the time and commitment the City of Columbia has put into coordinating Together We Can ... Read, under the leadership of City Council members Tameika Isaac Devine and Dr. Belinda Gergel," said Richland One Superintendent Dr. Percy Mack.

"We also want to thank the guest readers for taking time out of their busy schedules to read to our third-grade students," Mack said. "Their participation and support reflects this community's commitment to our schools and our students in Richland One.

Guest readers included Mayor Bob Coble, Joe Pinner of WIS-TV, Columbia Fire Chief Bradley Anderson, Martha Scott Smith of AT&T and former State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum. All Richland One school board members and City Council members also participated as guest readers.

"Addressing the issue of literacy requires a community-wide approach through Together We Can ... Read and other initiatives. We need parents, businesses, faith-based organizations, colleges and universities, retirees and everyone in the community to get involved," Mack said.

"It is critical that our students are able to read on grade level by the time they reach third grade because reading is the key to their academic success," he said. "If our students get behind, it is very difficult for them to catch up. We have to start early. We want our parents to start reading to their children as soon as they bring them home from the hospital."

The evening of March 20, hundreds of Richland One third-graders and their parents participated in Charley’s Family Adventure at EdVenture children’s museum. Students had an opportunity to work on checking off experiences included on Charley’s Checklist that accompanies the book. Children who complete at least 15 of the activities earn the designation as Junior Ambassadors for the City of Columbia.

Together We Can is a partnership between Richland One, the City of Columbia, Richland County, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Partners In Education Foundation.