Antlers Elementary first-grade students are getting new opportunities to enjoy reading at home through the Read Me a Story Program, a literacy initiative founded by retired Rattan teacher Shelly Self.
Self started the foundation with a goal of encouraging children to develop a love of reading by giving them opportunities to enjoy books both in the classroom and at home. Her experience as a teacher helped inspire a program focused on making reading an exciting and regular part of children's lives.
This year, the program has made its way to Antlers Elementary's first-grade classrooms, thanks to First Bank, which is funding the Read Me a Story Program for the school's first-grade students.
Each month, students receive books to take home and read. The books give students the opportunity to practice their reading skills outside of the classroom and share stories with their families. After reading the books, students return them to school, where they can be shared again as part of the program.
Students then receive new books each month, giving them the chance to experience different stories, characters, and reading adventures throughout the school year.
The program provides an important connection between school and home. Encouraging children to read outside of the classroom can help make reading a regular part of their daily lives while giving families an opportunity to spend time together enjoying books.
For Antlers Elementary first graders, the Read Me a Story Program brings a little extra excitement to reading each month. Students can look forward to taking new books home, discovering new stories, reading with their families, and then returning the books to school for the next group of stories.
The program also highlights the positive impact that community partnerships can have on local students. Through Shelly Self's vision for the Read Me a Story Program and First Bank's support, Antlers Elementary first graders are receiving additional opportunities to practice reading and develop a lasting enjoyment of books.
Antlers Elementary is grateful to Shelly Self and First Bank for supporting literacy and helping make reading an exciting experience for students both at school and at home.