Rome City Schools welcomed more than 150 guest readers to its six elementary schools on March 9, as part of Read Across America Day. Community leaders, board members, parents, staff, and students participated by reading to classes from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.
The event aimed to encourage a love of reading among young learners and highlight the importance of literacy in education. Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland said, “Getting to read to students is like the highlight of our year. Next to shaking the kid’s hands at graduation, being able to go into classrooms and strike kids’ curiosity about reading is just unbelievable.” He added, “Literacy is so important to Rome City Schools. We always talk about lead by example, and that we want the kids to read. They need to see us read.”
Dr. Holland visited all six elementary schools throughout the day, reading stories and engaging students with enthusiasm. Other community figures also took part; Rome Mayor Jim Bojo read “The Gingerbread Boy” at West End Elementary School and said, “I love being able to come out and read to kids. To be in this environment, and to see their enthusiasm is just great.” Bojo emphasized the importance of reading skills: “If you can’t read, you’re in trouble. You’ve got to be able to read to get through life. I want them to know that reading is important, but there’s more to reading than just reading. You can have fun doing it.”
Board Chair Faith Collins joined as a reader as well: “It’s hard to even describe how much fun it is reading to these students because you get to see their faces and how inspired and interested they are in the book. It’s just an honor for me to be able to read to them,” Collins said.
Guest readers included middle school football players, high school Junior Air Force ROTC members, parents of students and teachers, staff members, and board members. Many teachers and students dressed up as book characters or wore red hats earned through the Red Hat Reader Program.
Rome City Schools operates as a public education provider offering elementary, middle, and high school programs according to the official website. The district reports a 95.7% graduation rate and provides one-to-one technology for K-12 students across multiple schools with Advanced Placement courses and career-technical programs according to the official website. The Board of Education sets policy for Rome City Schools according to the official website, which maintains operations in Rome, Georgia according to the official website.
Dr. Holland reflected on his experiences with students after such events: “I’ll have students come up to me and tell me that they remembered me reading to their class. It’s always good and rewarding to hear kids say that,” he said.
