Reading month is carrying a different tone for Gaylord Community Schools

For the past several years, the Gaylord Community Schools have participated in “Reading Month” to help promote literacy both in school and the community.

“Reading Month” is a statewide declaration to promote early literacy and to encourage parents to sit down with their children and read a book.

This year, however, is carrying a different tone as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued new guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic and cases continue to drop across the state.

Gaylord Superintendent, Brian Pearson, says the past two years have been difficult for teachers and the community and it’s nice to be planning events that will not only be positive, and also look more normal.

“Our practices are getting back more to normal," said Pearson. "It's going to look more normal as we approach reading month.”

Pearson also says community members like high school student athletes and business owners will be reading to elementary school classrooms and hopes the Gaylord community sees this as an opportunity for parents to start building the habit of reading daily.

“If we can engage our parents in our community out there and helping with these kids, you know, it'll help those students immensely,” said Pearson.

Last week Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared March “Reading Month” in Michigan and is encouraging everyone to learn something new or rekindle their love of reading.