Did you know that March 2nd is Read Across America Day?! Read Across America Day is celebrated annually to share the joys of reading with the goal of bringing awareness to the importance of literacy. Often, as leaders in our respective communities, we are invited into classrooms or libraries to read to local students. However, this year some schools are not allowing visitors or are still in a virtual learning format. In addition to these challenges, COVID-19 has had a major impact on student learning and retention for youth around the world. In order to continue celebrating this exciting day and encouraging youth literacy, we have created a new program called Extension R.E.A.D.S!: Reaching & Empowering All Developing Scholars. We are hopeful that this program will empower youth who may not have an able adult or sibling to read to them despite the challenges of COVID-19. 

With the start of this new program, we are inviting ALL UGA Extension faculty, staff, volunteers, 4-H’ers and community members around the state of Georgia to record a video reading their favorite book. Videos will be grouped by reading level and content area on a brand new website that will go live on Read Across America Day, March 2nd. 

All kid-friendly books are welcomed, including ones that relate to the Extension content we teach and ones that are just fun! We would also lovvvveee to have some books read in Spanish as well! 

If you have any questions please contact Stewart County Extension - Christina Garner. 229.838.4908 or christina.garner25@uga.edu