District 63 announces 'One District-One Author' pick

After a week of clues, speculation, and guessing, East Maine School District 63 revealed its One District-One Author pick Sept. 26 - award-winning writer Andrew Clements.

Students and their families in all seven District 63 schools will come together to read two of Clements' most popular books, building a community of readers. The program will wrap up next month with a visit from the author himself!

One District-One Author programs create a shared reading experience across an entire school community - every family in District 63 will read the Clements books on the same schedule.

The goal is to encourage reading and reading together, connect families and foster a districtwide sense of community.

Launched on Sept. 19, the district's seven schools - Apollo, Mark Twain, Melzer, Stevenson, Nelson, Washington and Gemini - wove clues into the daily routine as students tried to guess the author. Then, on Sept. 26, each school did a "big reveal" and provided books to each family.

Elementary families will read "No Talking," while Gemini families will read "Things Not Seen." A special website provides background on the books and author, discussion questions, and videos of both books read by school and district leaders, board members, and even Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo and Morton Grove Mayor Dan DiMaria.

"Literacy is a cornerstone of our educational program at District 63," said D63 Superintendent Dr. Scott Clay, who recorded chapters of both books on video himself. "One District-One Author dovetails perfectly with this priority, and we're looking forward to a month of fun and learning that helps create a lifelong love of books."

Over the course of the month, families will read at home and schools and classrooms will jump in with daily trivia questions, assemblies, and special One District-One Author activities.

At the end of October, the program will wrap up with a special evening for District 63 families with Clements himself.

District 63 offers a rich educational setting with a multicultural perspective to 3,600 students in the diverse communities of Des Plaines, Niles, Glenview, Park Ridge and Morton Grove.

Committed to teaching excellence that provides all students with the specific opportunities they need to succeed, the district's six elementary schools (K-6), and Gemini Junior High (7-8), First Steps Preschool, and Expanded Learning Program foster each student's academic, social, emotional, and behavioral growth and achievement.

Visit www.emsd63.org to learn more.

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