JMCSS chosen to receive state grant for summer reading camp
JMCSS chosen to receive state grant
for summer reading camp
JACKSON, Tenn. – Reading is fun! That is the message of a summer reading camp the Jackson-Madison County School System will host in June of 2019 funded by a grant from the Tennessee Department of Education. JMCSS is among 218 recipients of the Read to be Ready grant.
“One of the main goals of the camp is to increase each student’s interest in reading and to expose them to how reading can be fun and engaging,” explained Mary Myers, Leader of Early Foundations. “Each day of the camp, students will engage in an interactive read-aloud, activities to increase foundational reading skills, independent reading time, partner reading, writing activities and student presentations.”
The camp, scheduled for June 3-28, will be available to 42 rising second and third graders from Lincoln, Alexander and Isaac Lane Elementary Schools who need additional help reaching grade-level in reading. Students will be invited based on need.
A partnership with each student’s parents is integral in their success in the Read to be Ready program. Family engagement opportunities will include fun events where parents are shown strategies to read aloud with their students at home. “This program is unique because students will be given up to two books a week to take home and add to their libraries,” added Myers. “Parents will also be given a book to take home at each parent event.”
This is the fourth year Read to be Ready grants have been issued by the state and at least the third year of the program in JMCSS. “This camp helps address two of our district-wide goals and priorities, our commitment to literacy and early foundations,” said Dr. Eric Jones, JMCSS superintendent. “This grant gives us the opportunity to get more of our students on grade-level in reading and on their way to success in school and beyond.”
The state grant of $42,000 will cover all costs of the camp including all instructional materials, the hiring of seven teachers, daily busing, meals and snacks, and field trips.
