Information Officer II
Department of Information and Public Relations
Phone: (284) 468-2730
Email: AGlasgow@gov.vg
Press Release
‘Read for the Fun of it!’ is the theme for the Territory’s 25th Annual ‘Reading is Fun Week’ from October 10 to 14.
Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said, “Improving literacy continues to be a priority for the Ministry of Education and Culture and all schools are on board. The very talented principals and teachers at the Territory’s schools are well equipped to pursue that mandate and are eager to share their passion for reading during ‘Reading is Fun Week’.”
Honourable Walwyn also said, “Improving literacy is not only the work of the ministry or teachers, but also parents and guardians. I encourage parents to join with teachers in observing the week by reading to their child or children for 15 minutes every day. Let’s all work together to create 21st century students through literacy.”
The education minister said Primary and Pre-Primary schools have received a list of “Fry’s Sight Words” with a mandate that each student should know at least 90-percent of the words at his or her grade level by the end of each school year.
Additionally, Reading Specialists and Zone Leaders have been assigned to each school to assist teachers in planning for the teaching of reading and to work directly with students who require individualised reading instructions. Also, Reading Inventory, Intervention and Assessment tools are being sourced to assist in the process of remediation for students who are experiencing reading challenges.
Acting Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Connie George said, “This ‘Reading is Fun Week’, I encourage my teachers to continue immersing students in rich reading experiences. Make stories come alive in the classrooms. Allow students to role play their favourite scenes and write in response to the books they read. Let them share their ideas of a new beginning, middle or ending of a story they have read. Use the ‘Think Aloud’ strategy to teach students how to question the author as they read.”
Mrs. George is also encouraging parents and guardians to take the opportunity to visit their children’s schools to support the week of activities. Activities including storytelling, drama, library visits and creative activities are scheduled at most of the Territory’s public and private schools during ‘Reading is Fun Week’.
Principal of Elmore Stoutt High School, Mrs. Sandy Underhill will host a special general assembly on “The Importance of Reading” on Monday, October 10 at 8:40 a.m. There will also be a book club launch and book giveaway. On Tuesday, October 11, students will engage in essay writing on the topic, “What Reading Means to Me”. On Thursday, October 13, students will visit the Senior Citizens of Road Town for a ‘Reading Exchange’.
The Joyce Samuel Primary School is inviting the public to its ‘Family Literacy Night’ on Thursday, October 13, at 6:00 p.m. A Johnny Cake Competition, Readers Theatre activity, Scavenger Hunt, Sight Word Hunt and many more games are planned for the event.
Other activities for ‘Reading Is Fun Week’ include an ‘Early Childhood Teachers’ Training’ on Wednesday, October 12 and ‘Drop Everything and Read’ or ‘D.E.A.R.’ activity on Thursday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. where the entire community is encouraged to stop what they are doing to actively engage in a reading activity. Also, all local radio stations will broadcast reading tips for parents and students daily.
Parents are reminded that all public primary schools will be closed on Thursday, October 20 for Mid-Term Break and Friday, October 21 for St. Ursula’s Day.
‘Reading is Fun Week’ is in line with the Ministry of Education and Culture’s commitment to prepare students for academic challenges by placing greater emphasis on reading in all the Territory’s public schools. The week was first held in the Territory in October 1992, under the theme, ‘Share the Joy in Reading’.