Dear Fort Zumwalt Community,
March is National Reading Month. It has been a great time to reinforce how critical this fundamental skill is to the growth and development of our students. Reading is more than just an academic requirement; it is a gateway to knowledge, creativity, and success in every aspect of life.
I was fortunate to grow up in a home where reading, both for fun and for knowledge, was a priority. To this day, I consider reading to be one of my favorite hobbies. There is nothing quite like discovering a new favorite book or author or the satisfaction of finishing a challenging novel. Walking the halls of our elementary schools, I get to see teachers and students breaking down the basics, how letters build words and how words build sentences and how to put those together to share an idea or learn from someone else’s idea. The work our teachers and curriculum team have put into teaching through best practices and providing students with the best possible tools come together in these lessons.
As our students grow, reading helps them develop their critical thinking, expand their vocabulary, expose them to different perspectives and foster curiosity. When we talk with business leaders about the qualities they most seek in job candidates, these are always near the top of their wish list.
Reading is also an amazing way to bring people together. As I said, I grew up in a home where reading was a priority. At the same time, I understand that rea-ding doesn’t always come easily for every student, so it is vital we continue to work together to support this skill. At elementary schools, we check each reader's growth regularly and provide those scores to families. As students get older, we continue to monitor and provide support where it’s needed. At home, just 20 minutes a day can make the difference for a young reader. You can pause to share a book or simply work together reading or creating a list or note. For our older students, just modeling this time can help remind them of all they can discover by reading and encourage their lifelong learning. Thank you for being our partners as we Educate, Empower and Equip Students to Excel.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul Myers, Superintendent
Currently reading for knowledge: Upstream, by Dan Heath
Currently reading for fun: Hyperion, by Dan Simmons
