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To celebrate National Reading Month, St. Luke’s recently joined local schools to celebrate the National Education Association’s (NEA) annual Read Across America Day on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Each year, NEA’s Read Across America Day, the nation’s largest celebration of reading, encourages more than 45 million readers across the country, both young and old, to pick up a book and read. 

Throughout the month, St. Luke’s joins NEA affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States in local events and activities that stress the importance of reading to children and the importance of making reading a fun part of daily life. Studies consistently show that building early literacy is critical to developing reading ability and succeeding in school and life, so the program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources.

“We’re so grateful to St. Luke’s for helping provide amazing resources for our kids,” says Eric Fontanez, principal, Marvine Elementary School in Bethlehem. “In these hard times, building family connections is so important and the resources St. Luke’s provided give our families and students the opportunity to listen to or read stories over and over as a family or on their own.” 

This year’s events look a bit different due to the pandemic, but parents, teachers and students can still participate in virtual readings or get book suggestions and reading tips to help spread the joy of reading. 

“The link between literacy and health is strong and St. Luke’s is proud to partner with local schools on this important initiative,” says Kathy Ramson, DNP, RN, DipACLM, Network Director Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Initiatives. “I always receive feedback from our Read Across America volunteers that they find this classroom experience fulfilling and a highlight of their year, so it’s heartening that we can still provide fun and engaging activities while meeting our current pandemic limitations.”

For more information about NEA’s Read Across America and recommended books to use in this year’s celebration, visit www.readacrossamerica.org.