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Mary Mélon, president and CEO of the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools celebrates students who accomplished their reading goals. Click here to download photo |
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 13, 2019)
When Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) students reach their goals, a reward keeps them motivated to keep working hard.
That’s why 279 Hawthorne Elementary students received medals at a special assembly. Each of the students read 20 minutes a day over spring break as part of a ReadOKC’s challenge. Hawthorne students led the district with more than 174,000 minutes read. Across the district, students read 2.1 million minutes.
The event also served to kick off the 2019 “Get in the Game” summer program. For the third straight summer, every OKCPS student who averages 20 minutes a day of reading will receive prizes and recognition on the fall.
“A love for reading is the foundation of an excellent education,” said OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel. “The ‘Get in the Game’ challenge has ignited a new passion for reading in students across the district. We have been thrilled to see the number of minutes read continue to rise during every school break since the ReadOKC program began. We hope to set another record this year!”
ReadOKC will host a series of events throughout the summer to promote literacy. In the fall, events at each OKCPS elementary school will celebrate students’ accomplishments. The top students and schools will receive special prizes.
“Taking a small part of every day for reading each day of summer break makes a huge difference when students return to school each fall,” said Mary Mélon, president and CEO of the Foundation for OKCPS. “Thanks to our incredible community partners – and our students’ dedication – ReadOKC is making a huge difference in our schools.”
About ReadOKC
ReadOKC is an initiative of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Compact, which promotes the love of reading to OKCPS elementary students. The Oklahoma City Public Schools Compact’s primary mission is to create and stimulate ownership of OKCPS and its outcomes. It comprises of: Oklahoma City Public Schools, the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the United Way of Central Oklahoma, and the City of Oklahoma City.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Adam Brooks
(405) 615-2659
adam@candorpr.com
Ashley Howard
(858) 869-4681
ahoward@kochcomm.com
