COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 193

September 23, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Read Aloud to a Child Week, October 17-24, 2005

In recognition of Virginia Read Aloud to a Child Week, the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Library of Virginia and Read Aloud Virginia, encourages all parents, teachers, and caregivers to join them in celebrating Read Aloud to a Child Week, October 17-24, 2005.

The ability to read is the foundation of literacy and is the single most important activity for building knowledge for personal success; therefore, persons in school divisions in the commonwealth are urged to set aside time to read aloud to a child. It is my hope that reading aloud to a child will provide a reading role model, and that it will help motivate all children to develop a passion for reading, a love for books, and an appreciation for lifelong learning.

The Read Aloud Virginia website can be accessed at http://www.readaloudva.org. On this website you can find copies of the following documents pertaining to Read Aloud to a Child Week: brochures, posters, certificates, and tips for celebrating. Brochures and certificates of achievement are also available at public libraries.

Further information may be obtained from Ginna Glover (Ginna.Glover@doe.virginia.gov), specialist, reading and English, Office of Elementary Instructional Services, at (804) 786-1997.

JLD/VJG/vdg