CTA President to Read to Sacramento Students After State Senate and Assembly Recognize Reading Celebration

BURLINGAME – California’s public school educators will join a nationwide celebration of reading on Thursday, March 2, as they meet up with parents, city officials, firefighters and community members at events statewide for the National Education Association’s 25^th  annual “Read Across America” extravaganza.

On March 2, CTA President E. Toby Boyd recommends adults take the “Reading Challenge” and post to their social media channels using the hashtag #IAmReading their favorite reads, be it personal or professional books. “Reading is a gift that lasts a lifetime,” said Boyd. “When children see successful adults reading to them, our hope is that they too see reading as a way to cultivate leadership.”

Many educators will be reading books from California Reads, teacher-recommended books for all age groups. CTA’s California Reads site includes outstanding books and tips on how to make children better readers in eight languages. Get the full story about California Reads, reading tips, plus Read Across America/California Reads posters, bookmarks, and this year’s highlighted books on the CTA website.

SAMPLING OF CALIFORNIA READ ACROSS AMERICA EVENTS
Events with CTA Leaders and other educators Thursday, March 2

 (MEDIA: PLEASE USE EVENT CONTACT INFO IF AVAILABLE FOR ANY COVID OR OTHER ACCESS REQUIREMENTS/RESTRICTIONS)

Sacramento: CTA President E. Toby Boyd will be reading to students at Tahoe Elementary School (3110 60^th Street) in Sacramento from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Boyd will be reading “Eyes that Kiss in the Corners” by Joanna Ho (illustrator Dung Ho) and “I Color Myself Different” by Colin Kaepernick (illustrator Eric Wilkerson). Both books are on this year’s CTA California Reads recommended reading list.

Sacramento: The California State Senate and Assembly will be presenting resolutions honoring Read Across America and promoting an appreciation of reading. CTA President Toby Boyd and CTA California Reads Committee Chair Lisa Hickman will be there for the presentation. State Capitol Building, 10^th and L Streets, 9:00 a.m.

Oakland: California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis will be reading to students at Oakland Academy of Knowledge, 8755 Fontaine Street, beginning at 12:30 p.m. CTA is sending books from its California Reads recommended list to the school, along with California Reads posters and bookmarks. Contact: Principal Nikki Williams, cell 510-593-3675 nikki.william@ousd.org

Bakersfield: Elementary schools in the Beardsley School District will have guest-readers sharing books with students. Students and staff at Beardsley Junior High School will all be reading the same book, S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, throughout the day.

ADDITIONAL READ ACROSS AMERICA ACTIVITIES
After March 2

Chico: On Sunday, March 5, Chico Service Center Council (a coalition of local CTA chapters) and CTA-Retired will host “Chico Reads: A Read Across America Event” at Vallombrosa CARD Community Center (545 Vallombrosa Ave.) from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The event will include story reading, games, a photo booth, comics, and book giveaways.

Alhambra: On Saturday March 11, the Alhambra Teachers Association will host its 4^th Read Across America event at Alhambra Park (500 N. Palm Ave.). Stories will be read aloud in multiple languages and books will be given away. The event is supported by Alhambra Unified School District and the City of Alhambra, and will be staffed by ATA members, classified staff, school administrators, Alhambra and Monterey Park county and state leaders, as well as community partners. In the past the event has drawn well over a thousand people.

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The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.