On March 4, Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. will join Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and State District Superintendent Alfonso Llano Jr. to read to pre-k students at 11 a.m. at Martha F. Wilson Early Childhood Development Center, 1602 Pine Street, Camden in celebration of ‘Read Across America’.
“Strong literacy skills are essential for our children’s long-term development and academic success,” said Commissioner Director Cappelli. “Read Across America is an opportunity to remind our young people that in our increasingly digital world, there is still incredible value in the written word.”
This year’s celebration will feature an interactive ocean-themed story presented in partnership with the Center for Aquatic Sciences. To enhance the experience, students will also have the opportunity to observe a live horseshoe crab, along with shells and marine models, offering hands-on exposure to marine life and environmental learning.
Additionally, students from Big Picture Learning Academy will distribute more than 100 books to early childhood scholars as part of their senior exhibit project, reinforcing the district’s commitment to literacy and peer mentorship across grade levels.
The Read Across America program was started by the National Education Association in 1998, and aims to foster a nation of readers, focusing on motivating children to read through special activities, partnerships, and reading resources.