Read for the Roses celebration

A Linlee Elementary School Kindergartener reads his copy of the book "Move Over" during the second annual Read for the Roses celebration held at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. The event capped off the six week reading program whose goal it is to reinforce the idea that readers are born in Kindergarten, where our teachers foster appreciation for literacy, and motivate our youngest learners to read for information and for pleasure.

Thousands of Kindergarteners packed Paul Laurence Dunbar High School’s gymnasium to celebrate the importance of reading during the second annual Read for the Roses learning initiative. The goal of the program is to reinforce the idea that readers are born in Kindergarten, where our teachers foster appreciation for literacy, and motivate our youngest learners to read for information and for pleasure.

Tabitha Atkins, a Kindergarten teacher at Linlee Elementary School, was on the committee that helped prepare units for other teachers. “When I was in school we weren’t expected to read until first grade,” she said. “So, this is pretty amazing.”

But Cameron Royce, a six-year-old Kindergarten student at Linlee, wasn’t so easily impressed. “I’ve been reading for awhile,” he proudly said. “I’ve read five books and I like the ones with words and pictures.”

A student enjoys reading during the second annual Read for the Roses celebration.

In March, every kindergarten teacher in the district received classroom sets of books and lesson plans created by some of our most talented reading instructors to use with their kids. For the past six weeks, teachers have been focusing on reading with their students, laying the foundation for a lifetime of loving to read.

Students attending the event were treated to a parade of children’s favorite literature characters and performances by students from all five high schools. They also received a copy of the book “Move Over” and a free T-shirt. The event closed with students reading “Move Over” together with our Superintendent Stu Silberman.