Calling reading his “baby,” Watson Chapel School District Superintendent Keith McGee spread the joy of it throughout all grade levels Thursday morning.
All students in grades K-5 received a backpack of grade-level books to read through the summer, courtesy of Simmons Bank. McGee hung out with Kenya Hudson’s third grade class at Coleman Elementary to record a video about the donation, produced by Watson Chapel High School media students, and read part of a book with them.
“There are about five books in each bag,” WCSD assistant superintendent Aleta Posey said. “There’s a reading log where they can sign up how many times they actually read that book over the summer.”
McGee said district officials have gone to Edgewood Elementary to read with kindergartners and first graders as part of a #WildcatsRead initiative during this school year. Coleman educates students in grades 2-5.
The donation by Simmons allowed the district to purchase the summer reading bags from Just Right Reader, a provider of decodable books.
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“We think reading literacy is top priority for our community,” Simmons Pine Bluff Community President Chad Pittillo said. “So, keep reading. It’s very important.”
Coleman Elementary Principal Marcia Merritt assigned Hudson’s class to read the book of their choice to her. Merritt said the students will have to keep up with their classmates when reading the book.
Merritt gleefully characterized the community support for the reading initiative as awesome.
“Anyone going to help our students succeed, it’s great. I love the community getting involved with us,” she said.
The donation also comes at a crucial time in Arkansas education. Starting next school year, third grade students who do not show proficiency in reading must be held back from promotion to fourth grade under the Arkansas LEARNS Act.
Coleman has come a long way in academic performance, according to Merritt. The school culture has changed and collaboration among teachers has increased while the school has improved from an F-rating to a C-rating according to recent state test scores, she said. Official letter grades will be released this summer.
