American Senior High School hosted a pep rally to kick off "Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!" on Monday, January 14. Joined by Miami-Dade County Public School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, senior state Cabinet members, and Florida’s First Lady Ann Scott, the state’s Department of Education opened the week long festivities at American.
Surrounded by the band, cheerleaders, auxiliary performers, and the drama troupe, Scott opened the event by sharing her passion for life-long literacy. This year's theme “Reading Accelerates Success” was promoted throughout the ceremony in an effort to connect the value of literacy with careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.
All participants were asked to bring their favorite book and together read for five minutes. American Senior High was honored and proud to have been selected as the recipient school to kick off literacy week in Florida.
This was the first of many stops for Scott who continued her statewide literacy tour. The initiative brings together education leaders and volunteers to promote the importance of literacy. Scott visited a total of eight schools during her tour in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Pinellas, DeSoto, Nassau, Union, and Hamilton counties.
“I believe literacy is the foundation for success in school and in the workplace,” said Scott. “I read with my daughters while they were growing up and now with my grandsons to get them excited about reading. I encourage parents and children to set time aside every week to read together and instill a love of reading and learning.”
“Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” is a weeklong celebration that took place this year from January 13-17, geared toward raising awareness for literacy programs and projects offered by the Department of Education's Just Read, Florida! Office and partner agencies.
For more information about the Just Read, Florida Office visit www.justreadflorida.com.