City officials celebrate launch of Read 365

Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña announced on Monday, November 2 the launch of NYC Reads 365 — a new multi-year citywide literacy effort aimed at promoting everyday reading, in and out of city schools.

The program, she said, builds on the city’s universal second grade literacy plan (announced last month in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan for equity and excellence in education) and provides all pre-K through 12 schools with ongoing resources to promote daily reading, such as reading lists, posters, bookmarks and more.

“Reading opens doors and expands opportunities for our children, in and out of the classroom,” said Fariña from P.S. 133, a public school on the Park Slope/Boerum Hill border. “For me, reading Spanish fairy tales with my father as a young girl inspired a love of books and a love of learning, and ultimately inspired me to become a teacher. As we give New York City students and families resources to make daily reading a reality in their lives, I know that we are going to be a better city for it. I ask all New Yorkers – not just students and families – to join me in promoting NYC Reads 365 and promoting the importance of reading.”

Fariña was joined at the announcement by Brooklyn-based children’s book author Jon Scieszka and New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray, among others.

“The hours I’ve spent reading have been some of the happiest of my life, and reading and writing were my pathway to success,” said McCray. “I know that’s true for other students too – research shows reading helps children achieve. Growing little bookworms is good for students, for families, for schools and for our city.”

For more information on the initiative, visit schools.nyc.gov.

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