March is a time to celebrate reading across the Sioux Falls School District!
Schools throughout the district are marking the month with a variety of activities that highlight the joy and importance of literacy. Read Across America Week, held March 2–6, also coincided with the kickoff of the community reading initiative Everybody Reads!. This year’s theme, “Tales on the Trails,” is already making an impact across the community. Libraries throughout Sioux Falls are beginning to fill interactive maps connected to the program, encouraging readers to explore stories while exploring the community.
At the elementary level, one of the most popular ways schools celebrate reading is by inviting guest readers into classrooms and libraries. At Hawthorne Elementary, volunteers from Reach Literacy recently visited students during their library time after the organization connected with school librarian Sarah Becker to arrange the opportunity. Becker said the partnership helps students build meaningful connections with adults while reinforcing the joy of reading. “When students have a caring adult who takes time to read a book with them, it’s a perfect model of how enjoyable reading can be,” Becker said.
Those sentiments are shared by Allan Idjao, senior instructor and community education manager for Reach Literacy. “Our mission is to empower our community to thrive through literacy education, and being in schools is one of the most effective ways we can do that,” Idjao said. “It makes reading fun, social, and valued. Early positive experiences are one of the strongest predictors of lifelong literacy.” Creating fun and engaging reading experiences is a key focus throughout the month of March. During the Hawthorne visit, students eagerly checked out books and spent time reading alongside volunteers.
Molly O’Connor, executive director of Reach Literacy, said opportunities like this align naturally with the organization’s mission. “This partnership fits naturally within Reach’s mission by strengthening literacy at every stage of life,” O’Connor said. “By helping children experience the joy of reading today, we are helping build a more literate and thriving community.” Partnerships like this create benefits for everyone involved. Volunteers build connections with students, and students gain positive experiences that reinforce the excitement and value of reading, helping develop the readers who will become tomorrow’s leaders.