By HWM
New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), including those in Harlem, joined forces with LitWorld to celebrate World Read Aloud Day on Feb. 4, engaging students and volunteers across all five boroughs in a citywide literacy initiative. The event highlighted the power of reading aloud to foster curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning among students.
At P.S. 3 in Manhattan, Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels and Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care, joined World Read Aloud Day founder Pam Allyn to lead a short story writing lesson for third and fourth graders. Chancellor Samuels read “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson, while Allyn shared “What Do You Do with an Idea?” by Kobi Yamada, demonstrating how shared reading experiences can spark creativity and engagement in young learners.
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“World Read Aloud Day is a powerful reminder that reading is not only a fundamental skill, but also a shared experience that builds confidence, curiosity, and connection,” said Chancellor Samuels in a press release. “Across New York City Public Schools, we are committed to creating joyful, literacy-rich environments where every student sees themselves reflected in their books and feels inspired to explore the world through reading.”
Pam Allyn added in a press release, “It is only fitting that I read alongside the Chancellor on World Read Aloud Day, which was created right here in a New York City classroom by a third grader who was so inspired by a read-aloud that he believed the entire world should experience its power.” She praised NYCPS for demonstrating how stories can transform children’s lives when literacy is prioritized and nurtured.
Citywide, more than 5,400 volunteers—including school leaders, staff, parents, and community members—read over 4,200 books to more than 37,000 students, totaling over 68,000 minutes of reading aloud. Schools participating spanned all five boroughs, including P.S. 131K and P.S. 184 Newport in Brooklyn; P.S. 1 Alfred E. Smith and P.S. 3 Charette in Manhattan; P.S. 483 The Matilda Avenue School in the Bronx; P.S. 23 Richmondtown in Staten Island; and The Riverview School and P.S. 92 Harry T. Stewart Sr. in Queens.
Literacy remains a key focus for NYCPS. This past summer, students showed unprecedented growth in English Language Arts state test scores across all subgroups. Chancellor Samuels continues to prioritize initiatives that provide targeted support and foster academic success.
Families are encouraged to participate at home using online resources available at schools.nyc.gov/literacy. These tools include family storytelling activities, printable flashcards, discussion guides, and curated reading lists to help children build literacy skills while enjoying shared reading experiences.
World Read Aloud Day demonstrates the collective impact of community engagement, reinforcing NYCPS’s mission to create equitable, literacy-rich environments for all students.
Photo by Marta Wave
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