Dist. 54 helps to break world record for reading

On Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, School District 54 joined Jumpstart's Read for the Record, a national campaign designed to break the world record for the largest shared reading experience, while also working to break the cycle of illiteracy.

All 32 early childhood classes and 46 kindergarten classes at District 54's 22 elementary schools participated by having their teachers or other guests read Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. Although the official Read for the Record Day was Oct. 6, District 54 participated on Oct. 5 due to conferences on Oct. 6.

“The event was a huge success and reinforces our Board Goal of students reading at grade level upon entering third grade by emphasizing the importance of early literacy,” Literacy Director Erin Knoll said.

The 2011 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 literacy for long-term academic achievement.

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 a special campaign edition of Llama Llama Red Pajama to all of District 54's early childhood and kindergarten teachers so they could participate with their students.

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 www.readfortherecord.org.