GCPS participates in Read Across America

     Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) embarked on a literary journey for Read Across America. This annual celebration reflects the district’s commitment to building strong readers and strengthening literacy across all grade levels. Schools across the district marked the occasion by introducing students to new reading environments and showing them that reading is not only essential for learning but also exciting, imaginative, and meaningful.

     The day, established by the National Education Association, encourages students to foster a lifelong love of reading, sharpen critical thinking skills, and build community through shared stories. This work directly supports GCPS’ focus on literacy within the Blueprint in Action, which prioritizes literacy as a foundational skill and ensures every student has the tools, confidence, and curiosity to thrive as a reader.

     At Benefield Elementary School, students stepped into a unique campsite in the media center, where they are building a fire in their hearts for storytelling.

     “Read Across America was a natural fit with the camping theme, allowing us to ‘read and camp’ across the USA,” says Benefield Elementary Librarian Ammee Robbins. “We also highlight national parks throughout the week, exposing our students to places that they might not have had the opportunity to visit. As an added touch, we play cricket sounds for a more authentic camping experience. This year, we were lucky enough to have the Teaching as a Profession students from Discovery High School come over to read with some of our students.”

     Robbins says the idea was something she had seen before and used during a summer school program, but students loved it so much that she wanted to recreate the experience.

“I liked having the campfire and shining the light on my book,” says Benefield Elementary Kindergartner, Piper.

     Reading is a foundation at every school, and we celebrate reading year-round through programming, partnerships, and initiatives that build joy around literacy. GCPS hosts an annual Readers Rally, which is the largest in-person reading bowl in the nation. Additionally, GCPS meets students where they are, bringing literature to students’ doorsteps through the GCPS Book Mobile Program.

     GCPS Director of Library Media Services Julie Saunders says it is a joy to provide students throughout the district with the gift of literacy.

     “It is incredibly rewarding and humbling,” Saunders says. “Watching a student connect with a story, discover a new interest, or experience the joy of reading independently is one of the most meaningful parts of our work. Once a child becomes a confident reader, their world expands. It truly feels like giving students tools that will serve them for the rest of their lives: confidence, voice, agency, and the freedom to access knowledge on their own terms.”

Discover more about our commitment to literacy on the district website.