Oakside Elementary School is excited to announce the launch of the Oakside READS! family reading program this fall. The program, which was made possible through a $2,000 Early Childhood Reading Grant awarded to the school by Target, will promote family reading by having Oakside students partner with a family member to read a book each quarter.
“We are grateful to Target for their generosity,” said Oakside Principal, Mary Foster. “This grant provides the opportunity to engage families in reading together.”
The idea for the program came from educator’s concerns that the emphasis on reading for assessment has caused elementary students to choose other free time activities. Through Oakside READS! the school aims to remind its second and third grade students that reading is a social activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Ultimately, hopes are that once a child realizes that reading is enjoyable, they will begin to self-select texts and read during their free time, and as a result their reading proficiency will increase.
“The program will focus on the importance of reading for pleasure and the enjoyment of gathering as a community in a social book club,” Foster said. “We can't wait to begin!”
