“What are you reading?” campaign hopes to encourage more readers

Around town one sees signs of the holidays, but other signs around schools and in the community are asking everyone “What are you reading?”

It’s part of a major push by Morgan County Schools and Morgan County Read Aloud to encourage literacy and get more people reading.

Their campaign was kicked off as part of American Education Week, said Elementary Education Director Kandy Kulus, who is also a member of the Read Aloud committee.

The electric business sign at Blue Flame queried U.S. 522 South drivers “What are you reading?” Teachers posted signs by their classrooms depicting what they were reading and what were their favorite books.

Bookmarks were created that pictured School Superintendent David Banks asking kids “What are you reading” while he holds a book that he’s been reading—“Nothing’s Impossible-Leadership Lessons From Inside and Outside the Classroom.”

A bookmark was given to every student in the school system, Kulus said.

Students at every elementary school drew pictures of themselves reading a specific book, she said. They were going to approach local businesses about hanging some of the children’s pictures inside their establishments to promote reading.

There is a need to change the culture about reading and to raise awareness of the importance of reading and literacy for everyone, from young children to senior citizens, she said.

Kulus said they’d like to see people asking others the question “What are you reading?” and have it become as common as folks inquiring “What are you doing Friday night?”

Morgan County Schools and the Morgan County Read Aloud committee are also gearing up for a jointly sponsored literacy summit that’s set for Wednesday, March 27.