Reading is Fundamentally Fun and Powerful
by William (Coach) Jackson and
Nancy (Fancy Nancy) Rentz (Media Specialists)

“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children.
One of these is roots; the other, wings.” Hodding Carter

The celebration of reading is special, storybooks ranging from the
Cat In The Hat, High School Musical, Clifford The Big Red Dog,
Naruto, Star Wars, Captain Under Pants, Spiderman, Billy Goat Gruff,
Skippy John Jones, Ramona Quimby, and other novels opens doors
to imagination for youth, teens and young adults.

Grades Pre-K to fifth should be reading,  experience the joy,
excitement, engagement, and imagination gained from reading
diverse books. All learning embraces reading that opens doors to the
imagination as a lifelong value and direct impact on future success
academically and career choices.
Reading has the inclusiveness of all ages even infants in the celebration
of literature. Involving the community that brings about change in
mentalities and values.

Community involvement is critical to the success of all students,
they must have reading mentors and role models. Parents should
be seen reading, newspapers, novels, comic books, the Bible and
diverse literature. Children will copy what they see the adults in
their lives do.

The libraries in and out of schools are a parade through the
neighborhoods and provide an opportunity for the community
to see great successes in literature. Books are the key to sparking
imagination, dreams and looking up to see what is never
impossible or implausible.

Mrs. Nancy Rentz AKA Fancy Nancy encourages reading and the
beauty of language development for children.  Encourages parents
to promote reading at home. Reading embeds in youthful minds
that they are capable of graduating high school and attending
colleges, vocational education and even owning their own businesses.
Children need to see their parents, relatives, and friends reading
to see themselves as readers.

This takes the term, “It takes a village to raise leaders” to a new
level of accountability because readers are leaders.
“Reading is Fundamental” to the success of all students, from infant
to toddlers, to elementary ages, to rising middle school students
of graduating high school students. National and district reading
scores have shown that early success in reading leads to academic
success from elementary school to high school and influences
higher education and career success.

Students that are reading on grade level are more likely to graduate
high school and enroll in college. Learning is continuous,
comprehensive and can be made fun.
Students should be taught to take advantage of every moment to learn,
to apply their learning and encourage their peers to read and learn.

Looking at the joy and excitement of the written word.
The pure desire to become great readers and given the opportunity
to show what they (students) know when the time comes to begin
the process of graduating, finding internships, scholarships or
start careers.

Reading is fundamental to not just academic success, but career
and economic success and stability.

William Jackson, M.Ed.
Teacher DCPS