CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- Students in Jefferson County Schools continue to benefit from an in-school reading program sponsored by the Shepherdstown and Charles Town Rotary Clubs. The program kicked off last spring with members of both clubs visiting first-grade classrooms to read a book and give each child in the class a copy to take home. The books are selected by JCS teachers and funded by the two rotary clubs.
The Rotary reading program has continued into the 2023-24 school year with the reigning Miss West Virginia, Karrington Childress, teaming up with Rotarians to visit JCS classrooms. Childress joined volunteers from the Rotary Club of Charles Town this week to read to first-graders at Blue Ridge and Ranson Elementary Schools.
A native of Charles Town, Childress is pursuing a degree in elementary education at Shepherd University and hopes to attain a master's degree. She is devoting her year of service as Miss West Virginia to promoting reading among school-age children throughout the state.
"We really appreciate Karrington taking the time to help with our reading program here," said Charles Town Rotary Club member Bruce Dillon. "She's passionate about the importance of reading, and so are we. This has been a perfect fit for her and Rotary."
The Rotary reading program focuses on Title I schools in the district. Volunteers from the Shepherdstown Rotary Club also visited classrooms at T.A. Lowery and North Jefferson Elementary Schools this week. JCS educators chose the book "Fruit Salad" by Jephson Gibbs due to its message promoting healthy eating habits.
The read-aloud events occurred as JCS celebrated American Education Week with education-focused activities for students and families.