As part of Read Across America Week, Interim Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Mierzejewski dropped in as a guest reader and surprised Mrs. Schmidt's first grade class at Jacksonwald today when she read "The Most Magnificent Thing," by Ashley Spires. A story about imagination and perseverance when things don't go your way, the charming book was selected by Jacksonwald's Reading Specialist, Mrs. Becky Bush, according to the theme of "Positive Leadership," which is one of the school's daily reading themes for the week that highlight virtues such as "Glorious Kindness," "Selfless Courage," "Invincible Grit," and "Brainy Creativity."

Enjoyed throughout the District and beyond, Read Across America is the nation's largest celebration of reading that aims to motivate students to become lifelong and devoted readers every single day of the year. To bring books easily to students, Mrs. Bush curated a virtual bookshelf based upon the school's themes and shared it digitally with both students and their families to inspire Jacksonwald students' blossoming love of literacy--which was certainly on full display as Mrs. Schmidt's students delighted in being read to by Dr. Mierzejewski today.

Look for more reading celebrations in the District this week as we honor our love of literacy!