Lafrancis Hardiman Elementary Celebrates World Read Aloud Day

Press release from Wyandanch Union Free School District:

Feb. 9, 2021

Students, faculty and staff at Lafrancis Hardiman Elementary School in the Wyandanch Union Free School district joined 173 countries from around the globe to celebrate World Read Aloud day on Feb. 3.

This year, the school read “My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World” by Malcom Mitchell.
“Literacy must be embraced at a young age for multiple reasons,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gina Talbert. “Developing a love for reading and writing helps our scholars with academic and cognitive development, but it helps with social-emotional learning as well.”

School librarian, Ms. Pamela Calandra, organized the event with multiple virtual readings throughout the school day followed by a drawing activity in which students were tasked with drawing the cover of their favorite book and briefly explaining why they enjoy it. “With the help of our teachers, staff, administrators and parents, we work daily to help our students foster a love of reading and becoming lifelong learners,” said Calandra.

Students were also assigned homework for World Read Aloud Day, which was assigned to all participants around the globe, to read aloud any book to any audience. Ms. Calandra encouraged students to read to their pets, their family members or even a stuffed animal.

World Read Aloud Day is a global initiative focusing on the importance of reading. Wyandanch Union Free School District has been participating in the global initiative for 12 years in an effort to help students develop a passion for reading.

This press release was produced by Wyandanch Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.