After-school programs across the district participate in Georgia Reads Day

     Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) after-school care partners celebrated Georgia Reads Day on September 22. This statewide event highlighted the joy and importance of reading, and after-school care programs coordinated through the district’s Community Schools celebrated literacy through read-alouds, literacy circles, and guided reading groups. These opportunities helped build excitement around reading, while showing children that it can be enjoyable, and grow into a life-long literacy habit.

     “GA Reads Day is an opportunity to highlight the YMCA's mission to strengthen literacy rates in its after-school care programs.” says Kim Nelson, Chief Program Officer of YMCA of Metro Atlanta, “At the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, we believe that literacy opens doors to confidence, creativity, and a lifetime of opportunity. GA Reads Day is a fun and meaningful way to highlight how after-school care programs help children grow as readers and thrive in school. We’re proud to partner with Gwinnett County Public Schools to create supportive spaces where every child can discover the joy of reading.” 

     YMCA Y-explore programs conducted a read-aloud of the book, "My Favorite Book in the Whole Wde World" and then introduced a tic-tac-toe literacy activity that students could complete with their families. Each square encouraged a fun literacy activity, such as "Pretend you are a teacher and read a book to your favorite stuffed animal".

     Through the literacy activities in after-school care programs across the district, GCPS’ support of Georgia Reads Day reinforces that literacy is not just an academic skill, but a foundation for learning, imagination, and opportunity. For more information on Georgia Reads Day visit georgiareads.org For more information on the After-school care partner in your local elementary school, please visit the district website.