February is "NBA Read to Achieve Celebration" Month

Celebrate reading with the NBA! Teams across the country will be engaging in efforts to promote literacy. Tie your reading activities in with this national event.

KeKe Palmer Visits Snowden School

Congratulations, Schools of the Month!

Welcome to another exciting year of reading! MCS Reads, now in its fourth year, will officially launch on September 20, 2007 for the 2007-08 school year. Let us know what your school is doing to promote reading by sending campaign activities to goodnews@mcsk12.net with the subject line "MCS Reads." Submissions can qualify your school for incentives including reading assemblies, restaurant coupons, movie parties and radio station tour opportunities. The "MCS Reads Information Kit" is now available for download,with more details regarding this year's campaign.

What is Memphis City Schools Reads?
As nation’s 21st largest school district, Memphis City Schools recognizes that literacy is one of the important keys to accelerating academic achievement. The MCS Reads campaign encourages students, teachers, parents and community members to read at least two books a month, with the goal of a minimum of 25 books within a year.

What will it involve?
From October through May, the MCS Reads campaign will introduce a different theme, ranging from “Create Your Own Book Club Month” to “Community Readers in the Classroom Month.” Each school is asked to develop creative ways to incorporate each month’s literacy theme into school life so students and employees will find fun ways to read two books a month.

How will the reading be tracked?
Upon completion of each book, a student will write and submit a two-paragraph report to be signed by an adult. Progress will be tracked on a special Memphis City Schools Reads book report diary and students can track their progress with a book log.

Will the community be involved?
Memphis City Schools takes its job to increase literacy among students seriously. However, this job can’t be done alone. Community involvement is needed. Answering the call to arms, Memphis City Schools’ partners and sponsors are stepping up to donate reward incentives for students who complete MCS Reads requirements, as well as for their parents and teachers. Rewards will range from Grizzlies and Redbirds game tickets to restaurant coupons and more.
In addition, community members can read to classrooms in Memphis City Schools or children outside of school, donate new or slightly-used books or sponsor book drives at their workplaces, churches or organizations.
If you know of an organization that would like to be a partner in the Memphis City Schools Reads Literacy Campaign, contact the Office of Communications, Marketing and Development at 416-5628.