Whitefoord Elementary Students Help Governor Deal Kick Off Read Across Georgia Month

By: Erica Fatima

The Read Across Georgia campaign began with dancing feet, snapping fingers and a little table drumming as first lady Sandra Deal read the new book, I Got Rhythm by author Connie Schofield-Morrison, to prekindergarten students and Will Powers: Where There’s a Will There’s a Way by Georgian-born author, Coy Bowles of the Zac Brown Band, to second grade students. The book is an autobiographical story that reflects Bowles’ musical journey.

Whitefoord_Governor_First_Lady06 — Whitefoord kindergarten and prekindergarten students snapped their fingers to first lady Sandra Deal’s read aloud of *I Got Rhythm by author Connie Schofield-Morrison*.

Mrs. Deal launched the Read Across Georgia initiative in 2012 in support of Governor Deal’s goal of increasing the percentage of children reading at grade level by the end of third grade. The governor proclaimed March “Read Across Georgia” month in honor of this initiative. The Deals believe that reading stories aloud to young children can greatly improve their reading and literacy skills.

APS Superintendent Meria Carstarphen joined in the fun and read to engaged students about what its like when you become a big brother or sister. Atlanta Board of Education chair Courtney D. English and Atlanta Board of Education board member Matt D. Westmoreland (District 3) and APS Associate Superintendent, Dr. Emily Massey shared their support of Whitefoord students and literacy in Georgia.

After several interactive read alouds from their guests, the students had plenty of witty comments for everyone in the room.