A “Drive” to Read
EUSTIS — Third, fourth and fifth graders from Fruitland Park and Eustis elementary schools received a special visit this week when a stock car from Daytona International Speedway stopped by their campuses to encourage them to read.
Accompanying the racing machine was Hope Colle, a representative from Just Read, Florida!, and Ray Stephens, a representative from Daytona International Speedway. The duo stressed the importance of literacy to students and showed off the “Take the Lead and Read” car, which celebrates the statewide Celebrate Literacy Week on Jan. 23-27. After touring more than 40 schools across the state, the stock car is expected to take a pre-race lap at the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26.
“It’s our week to celebrate all the student achievements we have with respect to literacy,” Colle said to a group of fourth graders at Eustis Elementary. “We want you, the students at Eustis Elementary, to take the lead and read, and be the best readers you can be. In everything in life, we want you to take the lead to read.”
Colle explained the importance of reading at least 20 minutes a day. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 20 minutes of daily reading beyond the regular reading program significantly increases student reading achievement.
Based on their dedication to reading and accelerated reader points, one lucky student from each group was selected to sit in the stock car and start its engine. Jacob Rowley, a fourth grader at Eustis Elementary, was the honorary starter during one session. Watch a video of Rowley’s experience at www.youtube.com/user/lakeschools.
“It was awesome,” he said. “When I go to Daytona I’ve seen some of these cars on the racetrack.”
From Jan. 23-27, students at Lake County Schools will be participating in a host of events aimed at promoting literacy during the statewide Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! “Take the Lead and Read” campaign. In addition to a statewide contest that asked students to create a public service announcement that celebrates and promotes the importance of literacy in the state, elementary schools in Lake County are hosting reading challenge contests, book drives, poster design contests and guest readers.
On Jan 23, schools across Lake County are participating in the statewide Million Minute Marathon. Teachers are encouraged to have students read for at least 20 minutes, and then record the number of students who have read. Students are encouraged to read anything from books and magazines to e-readers and newspapers. Minutes will be compiled statewide in an effort to show at least 20 million minutes of reading.
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