'READING ROCKS' Celebration Set For September 17

Richland School District One invites the community to help kick off its annual observance of International Literacy Week and mark its 34th anniversary as a multi-site partner with Reading Is Fundamental.

Reading Rocks With Writers 2005, a fun-filled literacy celebration, will be held from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 on the campus of W.J. Keenan High School, 3455 Pine Belt Road.

Scheduled activities include a literacy parade with Richland One Superintendent Dr. Allen Coles and Suzanne Ryan, senior program specialist with RIF in Washington, as grand marshals. There also will be author visits, storytelling, book distributions, puppet shows, a vintage car show and a special parents’ corner. A celebrity basketball game will conclude the day’s events, with proceeds being donated to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Mayor Bob Coble has issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 17 as Reading Rocks With Writers Day in Columbia.

"Celebrations like Reading Rocks help to underscore the importance of reading and literacy for students of all ages," said Ida Thompson, the district’s director of Instructional Technology Services and RIF coordinator.

Among the South Carolina authors confirmed to participate in the celebration are: Joyce Hansen, Ellen DeJong, Sonja Williams, Christine Young-Robinson, Sharon Rae North, Dr. Lynn Kelley, Minnie Dix, Chrystal O’Connor, Julie McLaughlin and Nancy Washington.

Elizabeth Briscoe Wilson, a nationally known storyteller from Jefferson City, Mo., will perform throughout the event. Other confirmed participants include the Columbia Writers Alliance, City Year, Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority at USC, M.L. King Park Double Dutch Forces and several school performance groups.

This year’s focus on writers represents the district’s successful collaboration with the Humanities Council of South Carolina, the BEST Center (Book Examination Selection Training) at USC and Reading Is Fundamental Inc.

Founded in 1966, Reading Is Fundamental is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit literacy organization, serving millions of young people every year. RIF helps children become strong, enthusiastic readers by giving them access to books they choose and keep, engaging them in creative activities that promote reading and involving parents and community volunteers in children’s reading and learning.

Richland One’s RIF program is one of the largest in the nation and has distinguished itself as an outstanding multi-site partner as evidenced by a number of recent awards and recognitions: for the past three consecutive years, a district school has been named state champion in RIF’s National Reading Challenge; last fall, two district sixth-graders were among ten national winners in the National RIF Writing Contest; the Richland One RIF program has been featured on the national RIF Web site; and Ida Thompson was named Southeast Volunteer of the Year for 2004.

"We are very fortunate to have quality school library programs, the Reading Is Fundamental Program in 27 schools and ready-access to many talented and accomplished writers to help students and parents develop reading skills and confidence through the enjoyment of quality literature," Thompson said.

For more information about Reading Rocks With Writers 2005 or Richland One’s RIF program, call Ida Thompson at 231-6803.

Click here for a full list of the 'Reading Rocks 2005' Guests,
Special Participants & Activities!