Reading Rotary just completed our Rotary Readers project. Rotary Readers is an annual literacy project where two reading books and a backpack are given to each Reading Public Schools student in kindergarten and first grade. This year over 550 literacy bags were delivered by Rotarians to the five Reading elementary schools. Due to the pandemic, Rotarians delivered them to the school offices rather to each classroom. In non-pandemic times, the books and bookbags would be delivered in conjunction with a time where Rotarians would read to each class. This year the reading is being done virtually.
This literacy project has been adapted from our previous dictionary and thesaurus giveaways. We heard from teachers that they preferred to have the younger students receive reading books. Basic Education and Literacy is one of Rotary's Areas of Focus. This particular project was adapted from a Gold Award literacy project by Mary Kate Kelley, who is a Past President of RMHS Interact and one of its charter members.
Pictured here is President Elect John Douglass delivering bookbags to Killam Elementary School.