The halls and classrooms across the district fell silent today for a very special reason: our annual Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) event! In a powerful display of community-wide literacy, every student, faculty member, and staff member paused their day to dedicate 15 minutes to the simple, transformative act of reading.

"There is something truly powerful about an entire district, from our Pre-K scholars to our high school seniors and staff, pausing in unison to honor the transformative power of literacy,” shared Superintendent, Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell. By ensuring every student has a high-quality book to call their own, we are doing more than just encouraging reading. We are providing the tools for self-advocacy, curiosity, and lifelong success. Whether a child is reading to a family member, a pet, or independently, those fifteen minutes a day are a vital investment in their future and a celebration of the 'Goldback Standard' of excellence we strive for every day."

A Gift for Every Scholar

To celebrate our commitment to fostering lifelong readers and learners, the district was thrilled to distribute one brand-new, age-appropriate book to every single student. Whether it was a vibrant picture book for our youngest learners or a compelling novel for our secondary students, every child went home today with a new treasure to add to their personal library.

A Big Red Surprise

Partnering with Scholastic for this initiative, we were able to welcome a special guest to our schools! The excitement reached a fever pitch at several of our schools with a surprise visit from a literary legend—Clifford the Big Red Dog! Clifford helped hand out books and cheered on our scholars, reminding everyone that reading is not just a school requirement, but a joyful adventure.

The Power of 15 Minutes

Today’s event served as a reminder of the incredible impact of consistent reading habits. Committing to just 15 minutes of reading a day can exponentially expand a student’s vocabulary and cognitive stamina, building a critical foundation for academic success.

Reading doesn’t have to be a solo activity! We encourage our families to keep the momentum going at home. Those 15 minutes can happen anywhere:

• Reading independently in a quiet place.
• Reading together as a family before bed.
• Reading at a sibling’s sporting event or dance practice.
• Reading aloud to a younger sibling or a family pet.
• Even sharing a story with a favorite "stuffy" or stuffed animal!

We are so proud of our scholars for the enthusiasm they showed today. Happy reading, everyone!

[Link to Photo Gallery: View more photos of our DEAR event and Clifford’s visit!]