Your Local Reading Council
An Overview
Certain communities are fortunate enough to have a local reading council. I am a proud member of the Chesapeake Reading Council (CRC). The mission of CRC is to "promote literacy throughout our city". The Virginia State Reading Association (VSRA) is a professional organization that has the same mission for the entire state of Virginia. Our state association falls under the International Literacy Association (ILA), formerly known as the International Reading Association. With membership to my local reading council I automatically become a member of the VSRA. I am also a member of the ILA. I urge you all to join your city, state, and international association....... read to find out why!
A Partnership With Your Public School System
Chesapeake Public Schools has been an amazing supporter of CRC! Before the official school year starts, our Superintendent, Dr. Roberts meets with our Executive Board. The Board shares their ideas for the year and shares the new calendar of events. Dr. Roberts shares his ideas and assists in making CRC a strong partner of Chesapeake Public Schools. Dr. Roberts is always one of the first official members every year!
Dr. Roberts with the 2016-17 CRC Executive Board |
Dr. Roberts also invites CRC to the yearly Administrator's Back-To-School General Conference. The President of CRC addresses all of the administrators in the city. The administrators lend their support by becoming members, choosing CRC building representatives, and participating in the CRC activities throughout the school year.
Dr. Roberts with the CRC 2014-15 Executive Board at the Administrator's Back-To-School General Conference. Our first official t-shirts were being revealed that morning "Keep Calm and Read On!" |
Fun and Free Literacy-Based Nights For Your Students
CRC hosts fun literacy nights every year! The students that come are treated to swag, literacy based activities, treats, and most important a great book! For the last few years (including this up and coming year) Cathy Collier (ILA Board Member, a Past President of VSRA and CRC) comes to read one of her favorite books to our local students. Families can enjoy a fun night out for free! The parents and children love these nights out together and look forward to them year after year!
Activities Through the School...... and More!
CRC holds certain city wide school events! The elementary aged students participate in the Young Writers' Event (top right). Students become authors of their own book or a class book. Those books are displayed the night of the event and the authors receive a _______. The middle and high school students can participate in the Literacy Jam (left). Students who participate in the Literacy Jam can win awards and be able to read their submissions to the audience. Every year we also host extra other events that are free to the community. One year we were fortunate enough to have Steve Somers Amazing Teacher magic show Fizz Boom Read. Those who came out to the event were treated to a fantastic magic show based around literacy (bottom right)!!!
Honoring Those Who Make Epic Strides for Literacy City Wide!
Each year CRC celebrates amazing dedication to literacy through numerous awards. Each school chooses a Reading Teacher of the Year. From those teachers a Reading Teacher is chosen to represent the entire city. This past year Chesapeake's Reading Teacher of the Year went on to become the Reading Teacher for the state of Virginia! Administrators are also able to win the prestigious James D. Mullins Leadership Award.
Community Outreach
Chesapeake Reading Council has a huge heart! Every year they participate in community outreach events in their own community and beyond. CRC participates in the Chesapeake Regional Hospital's Baby Fair. Books, literacy based toys, and literature on "how to help your child read" have been given away to hundreds of expectant and new mothers over the years (left). Workshops were led by CRC Board Members at the Chesapeake R U Ready Family night to help students with comprehension skills this past year (top right). Once a year CRC reaches beyond their local boarders and supports literacy in other countries. This past year students in Haiti were given books to support their library. In the 2014-15 school year CRC gave backpacks and books to students in China (bottom right).
End of the Year Celebrations!
Chesapeake Reading Council also celebrates the great things that happen throughout the year! Every year the Reading Teachers of the Year (RTOY) are celebrated. This year a local author (Jen Milius) and a speaker were invited to the event. RTOYs also shared their great ideas, were invited to participate in a book exchange, and had yummy food in their honor! We also have a yearly banquet where RTOYS and Building Representatives (among others) are thanked and celebrated!
Chesapeake Reading Council's Great Year Ahead!
Our new shirts are ready!!! They are inspired by the VSRA theme for the 2016-17 year "Literacy: The Root Of All Learning". I'm so excited to be able to wear my shirt proudly!
So much happens due to the hard work and dedication of the CRC Executive Board, Committee Members, and volunteers! Take a look at the Calendar of Events for this coming year! I'm so excited to participate in every single event.
In this post I have listed a few things that make CRC great but I couldn't list them all. Please take a look at the Benefits of Membership (below) to see the extent of what is available to CRC members.
What Will Make YOUR Reading Council Great This Year?
Tell me about your reading council! Are you already a member? What activities are your favorite? What events are up and coming? Do you have questions? I know that many of blog followers and post readers are already involved..... so share some ideas or events so that we can all support them! Thank you! I can't wait to hear from you all!!!
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