District 54 to help break world record for reading

On Thursday, Oct. 8, School District 54 will join Jumpstart's Read for the Record, a national campaign designed to break the world record for the largest shared reading experience ever, while also working to break the cycle of illiteracy.

All early childhood and kindergarten students at our 22 elementary schools will participate by having their teachers read Eric Carle's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a classic that also happens to be celebrating its 40th anniversary.

"This is a great opportunity for our school district to participate in a national campaign that is fun for our students and also highlights the importance of what we do as educators every day - prepare our students for a bright and successful future," literacy director Erin Knoll said.

The 2009 campaign is designed to encourage young people, their families and educators to read. The day's activities are designed to generate public awareness about the importance of early childhood education.

In 2008, Jumpstart's Read for the Record was a huge success. N460,000 children and adults registered to read the official campaign book, Corduroy, in their homes and at libraries, parent groups, preschool centers and major public venues. And millions of people were involved in Jumpstart's Read for the Record through TODAY Show, where NBC anchors Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira - along with other celebrity guests - read with children at Rockefeller Center.

The Pearson Foundation, the sponsor and a founding partner of the campaign, is once again underwriting the cost of the campaign book and helping to organize events nationwide. It donated 100 English copies and 20 Spanish copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar so all of District 54's early childhood and kindergarten teachers may participate with their students on Oct. 8.

Jumpstart - through Jumpstart's Read for the Record Campaign and intensive early education programs - puts books in the homes of children who need them most and focuses on helping them make gains in crucial language and literacy skills. Learn more about this campaign by visiting readfortherecord.org.