Beyond the Boardroom: When Leaders Become Readers
Beyond the Boardroom: When Leaders Become Readers
The Board of Education is engaged in a Portrait of A Graduate Reading Initiative, visiting students once a month to read to different classrooms. Book selections are chosen around a theme for each month, connecting to New York State’s Portrait of a Graduate model. These read-alouds aim to connect our Board of Education members with our learners, as well as build vocabulary, make reading fun, and help students feel confident and curious.
The theme for the month of March is: Global Citizenship. Board members are reading Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, by Andrea Beaty to highlight this theme. While reading the story, Board members explore thinking and learning by asking students questions and prompting them to connect the characters’ journeys to their own lived experiences, specifically how they contribute to our community as productive citizens.
Featured below is Mrs. Letitia Politi, welcomed by Ms. Eitel’s class at Vails Gate STEAM Academy and Ms. Merril's class at New Windsor School.
More Than Just Storytime
While the primary goal is to foster a love for reading, the impact goes much deeper than the final page of a book. This initiative is designed to:
Model Lifelong Learning: When students see busy adults prioritizing reading, it reinforces that literacy isn't just a school subject—it’s a life skill.
Bridge the Gap: These visits allow Board members to see firsthand the vibrant energy of our classrooms and the incredible work our teachers do every day.
Humanize Leadership: Students and educators get to see the "people behind the policies" in their school buildings, making the school district’s leadership more approachable and visible.
A Love of Learning: Stories can teach valuable lessons and transport students to explore the world beyond their classrooms and communities. Every opportunity to love a story is a wonderful experience for all children.
What’s Next on the Bookshelf?
The program will continue throughout the school year, with a rotating schedule to ensure every elementary school is visited. Schools often welcome parents, guardians, grandparents, and community members to reach to our scholars as well!
We will be highlighting this initiative more in the upcoming weeks!
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
