The East Williston School District is promoting the joy of reading through a Classroom Book-A-Day initiative. The goal is for students and teachers to experience the joy of reading together as a classroom community while learning the value of celebrating stories. Reading together will encourage students to engage in meaningful discourse with peers as well as reflect upon the text to deepen their understanding of their own lives and the world.

“In addition to nurturing a love for reading, #ClassroomBookADay brings joy to students’ reading and writing lives while promoting the social, emotional and cognitive development of all learners,” said Director of English and Literacy K-12 Nicole Hunn.

At the Willets Road School, the goal is to read aloud a picture book every day in the fifth grade classrooms. “I truly believe these picture books help to build community in our classroom, develop empathy, expose students to a range of stories, strengthen critical thinking, encourage discussion, enhance listening skills, and build their vocabularies,” said fifth grade teacher Jessica Liakonis.