Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Reading is a remarkable phenomenon – with a few words printed on paper, an individual can be transported back in time or to an entirely different world. Conversely, writing allows creative types to put their ideas down on paper, creating vessels for hours of electronic-free entertainment. Sadly, recent statistics highlight challenges in literacy rates among children and adults in the United States. According to the National Literacy Institute, approximately 21 percent of adults in the U.S. were found to be illiterate in 2024, with 54 percent having literacy skills below a sixth-grade level. Additionally, a 2022-23 study showed approximately 40 percent of students across the nation can't read at a basic level. To combat these high rates, schools all across the state began celebrating Literacy Week on Monday, Jan. 27, with a variety of activities to inspire students and families to make reading part of their daily routines. The celebration will continue through Friday, Jan. 31. At Branford Elementary School, students kicked off the week on Tuesday, Jan. 28, with "Top Notch Tuesday." Students dressed to impress as their teachers prepared to lay the groundwork for them to be future leaders. Additionally, guests from the community visited classrooms to read with students. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, the theme of the day will be "Caution: Reader at Work!" Students are encouraged to wear denim and flannel and be ready to work out math equations. Throughout the day, Mrs. Blackmon's music classes will learn "The Construction Worker" set to Verdi's "Il Trovatore." "Thank a Farmer Thursday" will take place on Thursday, Jan. 30. Students who wear their favorite boots will be prepared to kick up their boots and read all day. On this day, students will partner up and read their favorite books in their classrooms. On Friday, Jan. 31, students are encouraged to wear their orange and blue gear and show school pride as Branford Elementary School begins "Constructing the Foundation for Success." Students will also be able to compete in tumbling tower construction competitions. Additionally, students will be able to participate in an accelerated reading competition throughout the week. One student from each class will win a prize for reading the most words throughout the week. At Hamilton County Elementary School, students kicked off the week on Monday, Jan. 27, by wearing sunglasses for the theme of "Constructing a Bright Future." The following day had the theme of "Digging Into Reading." Students dressed like construction workers by donning denim and flannel clothing, as well as safety vests and hard hats. On Wednesday, students are encouraged to "Team Up to Reading and Writing" by wearing their favorite sports shirts or jerseys. "Engineering Dreams" is the theme for Thursday, and encourages students to dress for the career they want in the future. Students will finish out the week by sporting red clothing for the theme of "Under Construction: 'Growing From Titans to Trojans!'" At Hamilton County High School, the week kicked off with "Motivational Monday," where classroom doors were decorated to support the Literacy Week theme. The word of the day was "agitation." On Tuesday, students got the chance to make their voices heard during the "Trojans Choice Awards" by voting for their favorite literacy-related categories. The word of the day was "regalia." "Wacky Word Wednesday" encourages students to complete a wacky word search puzzle and turn it in to a teacher. The word of the day will be "illusion." Students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite childhood book character for "Throwback Thursday." The word of the day will be "salutation." The week will end with "Fantastic Flyer Friday," where students can create a flyer on a piece of copy paper to promote literacy and hang it up in the hallways. The word of the day will be "serenity." At Suwannee High School, festivities began on Tuesday with "Reading is Timeless!" Students were able to dress in the style of their favorite decade. "Building Literacy" is the theme for Wednesday. Students are encouraged to dress in construction clothes, such as uniforms, vests and hard hats. On Thursday, different classes can dress up in various colors to complete a "Reading Rainbow." Class 9 is designated to wear orange, class 10 will be red, class 11 is set to dress in blue, and class 12 will sport green. The week will end with students dressing as their favorite book characters. Costumes must be school-appropriate and cannot include masks. Parents wanting more information about Literacy Week activities are encouraged to contact their child's school.