Sharing the joys of reading

Celebs, volunteers spread the word on Family Literacy Day

WYNZIE CHAI/for Metro Calgary

Former Breakfast Television host Dave Kelly encourages grades 1 and 2 students to read during yesterday’s Family Literacy Day event at Woodlands School.

Published: January 28, 2010 5:51 a.m.

Last modified: January 27, 2010 11:53 p.m.

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Children at the Calgary Woodlands School celebrated Family Literacy Day by sitting down with a good book — and a few local celebrities like MLA Dave Rodney and former Breakfast Television host Dave Kelly.

A team of around 70, including volunteers from the Calgary law firm Borden Ladner Gervais and The Calgary Public Library, as well as the Stampede Queen and Princesses, turned up to read with the Grade 1 and 2 students in small groups.

Guest readers Kelly and Rodney read their favourite books to the children in the second part of the session.

“Statistics Canada tells us that when we read to children, or have them read to us, children tend to become lifelong readers without too much difficulty,” said Gena Howat, a program teacher from Calgary Reads.

Calgary Reads was formed as a charity in 2001, and supports early assistance with struggling readers in grades 1 and 2. The Calgary Reads charity has helped nearly 2,500 children improve their literacy, and aims to raise their confidence and the ability of struggling readers by working together with their schools and families.

“This type of involvement helps to create the sense of purpose in our community that reading really helps us with,” said Education Minister Dave Hancock.

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