Superintendent Liggins: Help us get books to every child in Fayette County | Opinion

I learned to read chapter books in Ms. House’s first-grade classroom.

But I learned to love reading in my grandmother’s living room.

Every day before she went to work, my grandmother would sit in her overstuffed, light blue armchair next to the gas heater and read the newspaper while enjoying her morning coffee.

One of my earliest memories is of sitting on the couch across from her while she read the paper. I had not started school, so I was probably three or four.

I could not read yet, but I recall making a big show of spreading the comics out in front of me on the couch cushion and pretending to read by narrating what I saw in the pictures.

I can still hear my Grandmother enthusiastically saying, “Oh that baby can read. Just listen to him read.”

She knew good and well that I was not actually reading. But at the time, in my little preschool-aged brain, I thought I had convinced her I was.

By letting me see her reading and praising me for doing the same, Grandma demonstrated the importance of literacy and learning. She motivated me to really learn how to read because I wanted to continue to make her proud.

My grandmother worked as a housekeeper at the local hospital and my mother was a school bus driver, so we could not afford to have a lot of books at home, but Grandma would read to us from the Children’s Bible or her prized set of encyclopedias.

I have fond memories of sitting on the arm of Grandma’s big, comfy chair – my brother Randy, cousins Derrick and Danielle, and I all perched at precarious angles – snuggling up close so we could see the illustrations and take turns helping her turn the pages.

While scholars have unequivocally proven the importance of families reading with their children, only 60 percent of children living in poverty have access to books in their homes.

An analysis of more than 100 research projects found that when children have greater access to print materials at home, they:

▪ Learn the basics of reading such as letter and word identification, phonemic awareness, and sentence completion.

▪ Have higher reading performance.

▪ Read more frequently and for greater lengths of time.

▪ Develop more positive attitudes toward reading and learning.

That same analysis found links between access to print materials in the home and writing performance, language development, and academic achievement in other subjects.

With more than half of our students qualifying for meal assistance, Fayette County Public Schools is committed to ensuring that all children have books at home.

One way we are accomplishing this is through the REAL Read program, which we have implemented in every elementary school for the first time this year. Through this initiative, volunteers are invited to read engaging literature with students at school, and then each child receives a copy of the book to take home.

Every student in preschool through fifth grade received two free books during the fall semester and will receive two more this spring – collectively impacting more than 20,000 students and distributing 84,000 new books.

FCPS is also partnering with the Fayette Education Foundation to ensure that children in our community begin building their home libraries before they enter school. Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, registered children receive a free, high-quality book in the mail every month from birth through the age of 5.

If you want to help us put more books into the homes of children in Fayette County, you can:

▪ Become a community reader in the REAL Read program by visiting fcps.net/volunteer.

▪ Register a child to receive a book in the mail each month at imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/KYFAYETTE/

▪ Donate to the Fayette Education Foundation at fayettefoundation.org/gift

In the words of American author Mary Ellen Chase, “There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.”

So during FCPS’ winter break, I encourage all of our families to take time to read to their children, as the significance cannot be overstated. It’s a magical time for parents and guardians to engage with their children, igniting their imaginations and broadening their horizons through the pages of books. Beyond the joy of storytelling, this practice enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills in children of all ages. By sharing stories, families create cherished moments, bonding over characters and adventures, while instilling a lifelong appreciation for learning.

Amid the holiday festivities, the act of reading to children offers an invaluable opportunity for quality time and connection. It strengthens the adult-child relationship and provides a nurturing environment that encourages curiosity and intellectual growth. Additionally, reading fosters a sense of security and comfort, especially during the winter break, offering a retreat into captivating narratives that transport children to different worlds, inspire creativity, and deepen their understanding of the world around them. It’s during these shared reading experiences that families not only impart the joys of literature but also impart essential life skills, promoting empathy, resilience, and a lifelong passion for discovery.

My wish is for every child to one day treasure a story similar to the one I fondly recall about reading with my family as a kid. As our students anticipate the break from school for a couple of weeks, I assure you that the chance to read alongside their families will be eagerly anticipated and cherished.