LH institutes program

PEARCY -- The Lake Hamilton School District has begun a new focus to create a culture of literacy in every home through the "One District, One Book" program.

It is a family literacy and community-building program where every participating Lake Hamilton family in the primary, elementary and intermediate schools will receive a copy of the same children's novel. This fall's novel is "The World According to Humphrey," by Betty G. Birney.

With guidance, every family will read the book over the course of a designated month. Interest in the book is created and augmented at school through demanding daily trivia questions.

"Not only will this program increase literacy levels and the love for reading for Lake Hamilton students, it will also lead in to quality time with family," said Renae Carrouth, Lake Hamilton family and community coordinator. "Lake Hamilton is excited to be one of the first districts in Garland County to implement this program."

The planned result is a district-wide conversation about a book where the conversation leaves the classroom to enter the cafeteria, the playground and the parking lot to involve every layer of the school community.

"Bridging the gap between school and home is one of our goals at Lake Hamilton," said Brian Bridges, district communications coordinator. "This program aides us in achieving that goal by opening the doors of communication."

Gary Anderson, founder of the "One District, One Book" nonprofit organization, spoke with the Lake Hamilton Primary, Elementary, and Intermediate school educators about the program.

Anderson worked as a school psychologist for more than 30 years and witnessed children lose interest in school due to their lack of reading skills, which he termed, "the third grade slide-out."

He founded two nonprofit organizations to promote the benefits of reading aloud: "Read Aloud Virginia" and "Read to Them." He spearheads and supervises the "One District, One Book" program.

School on 08/23/2015

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