May 10, 2023
NEW ROTARY IN-SCHOOL READING PROGRAM LAUNCHED
The Shepherdstown and Charles Town Rotary clubs have joined forces to create a new in-school reading program in Jefferson County Schools. The program will be focused on the County's four Title 1 schools (schools that include a large number of children receiving free and reduced-price lunches).
Rotarians from the two clubs will visit these schools several times a year to read a book to 1st grade classes and then give each child in each class a copy of the book that was read. The children will be able to keep these books as their own and take them home with them.
The Shepherdstown Club launched its participation in this new program today (May 10), with Club member Maria Brown reading a book called "Our Earth" to one of the 1st Grade classes at North Jefferson Elementary School. The accompanying photo shows Maria with her class. It looks like everybody had a good time!
Because this school year is about to end, these first readings going on now will be the only ones for this school year. Next fall, the two Rotary clubs plan to resume the reading program in earnest and conduct four readings during that school year and in succeeding years.
The other schools that will be served by this program will be T.A. Lowrey Elementary, Ranson Elementary, and Blue Ridge Elementary. The program was developed in consultation with the principals and 1st Grade teachers at these schools. The books being read and distributed at the schools are being selected by the teachers. The two Rotary clubs are paying for the books.