Wooster schools celebrate reading initiatives

At Wooster City Schools, we know learning to read lays the foundation for curiosity, confidence and a love of discovery. That’s why we place a special focus on early literacy, giving our youngest learners the skills and encouragement they need to succeed.

This spring we’re celebrating reading throughout our district. In early March our elementary schools participated in Read Across America Week, a nationwide initiative that highlights the joy of reading and the value of diverse perspectives in literature. It was inspiring to see students take part in a national movement to engage with stories and discover new ideas.

Our teachers are hard at work planning the K-4 Right to Read Weeks, which are always a highlight of the school year. These weeks are filled with themed reading days, guest readers and interactive classroom activities. Our goal is to help students see reading not just as another assignment, but also as an adventure to enjoy every day.

On May 18 we are once again partnering with the United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties and the Wayne County Public Library to host our annual Reading Under the Lights event. Join us at Maurer Field from 6-8 p.m. for an evening full of literary activities. Local author Marcy Campbell will be featured as our One Community Read Aloud, highlighting her book "Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse," and every student will take home new books to enjoy throughout the summer.

We also work to keep students motivated to read during the summer months with programs like Summer Read and Play at Cornerstone and the K-4 Summer Reading Program at Parkview. By keeping books in students’ hands year round, we not only help them thrive academically, but also foster confidence, curiosity and a genuine excitement for reading.

Thank you for helping make reading a priority in our community. It’s exciting to see our students build skills and love for literacy that will last for years to come.

Gabe Tudor is superintendent of Wooster City Schools.