STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 New York City public schools across all five boroughs celebrated World Read Aloud Day with special events this week. <\/p>\n
More than 5,400 volunteers from school leadership, staff, parent leaders, community members, and partner organizations joined Litworld in reading more than 4,200 books to over 37,000 students \u2014 marking more than 68,000 minutes of reading aloud.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorld 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,\u201d said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. \u201cWhen adults read aloud to children, we help bring stories to life, strengthen language development, and foster a lifelong love of learning. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
World Read Aloud Day was created in New York City by a little boy and Pam Allyn as they were reading aloud together. Now, it\u2019s celebrate on the first Wednesday of every February \u2014 reaching millions of people, according to Litworld.<\/p>\n
Allyn, Litworld founder, joined Samuels on Wednesday for a special read aloud event at PS 3 in Manhattan.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d said Allyn. \u201cNew York City Public Schools\u2019 unparalleled commitment to literacy, grounded in research and best practices, continues to demonstrate what is possible when we believe in the power of stories to change children\u2019s lives.\u201d <\/p>\n
Here are the Staten Island public schools that celebrated World Read Aloud Day on Wednesday:<\/p>\n
PS 23, RichmondPS 29, Castleton CornersPS 52, Dongan HillsPS 56, RossvillePS 58, New SpringvillePS 74, Brighton HeightsBarnes Intermediate School (I.S. 24), Great KillsPaulo Intermediate School (I.S. 75), Huguenot<\/p>\n
At PS 29, Staten Island District 31 Superintendent Dr. Roderick Palton and Acting Deputy Chancellor for Operations Kevin Moran read aloud to students. I.S. 75 students also visited PS 56 to read stories aloud to their younger peers.<\/p>\n