Governor O'Malley Visits School in Prince George's County for Read Across Maryland Month
Hosts MSA Game Show to Demonstrate the Importance of Reading in Test Taking
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ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 19, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by Prince George’s County Board of Education Chair Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., and other education officials today concluded his statewide “Read Across Maryland” tour with students at Suitland Elementary School in Prince George’s County. During the event, Governor O’Malley wished students luck as they continue testing for the Maryland State Assessments, and co-hosted a game show to demonstrate the importance of reading in test taking.
“It is an honor to be here today with students from Suitland Elementary,” said Governor O’Malley. “Maryland is home to America’s number one public school system. As we bring our Read Across Maryland month tour to an end, we encourage our children to choose a life of learning by reading as often as possible. Working together with educators and families across Maryland, we can instill a thirst for knowledge in our children that will help them achieve their dreams.”
Every year, the Cat in the Hat dazzles children and adults in celebration of the National Education Association’s “Read Across America” campaign, celebrating the birthday of Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss. This year, the Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA) formed a partnership with Governor Martin O’Malley to launch “Read Across Maryland,” a statewide literacy initiative. On Monday, March 2nd, flags promoting the program began flying in downtown Annapolis, and the 14 Annapolis-area schools designated special “Read Across Maryland” reading shelves in their libraries. The Governor and members of his cabinet will join MSTA leaders for classroom visits and reading assemblies at select schools across the state during the month of March. This event marks the last in the series of school visits as a way to encourage students as they take their MSAs.
“We have always believed that we need to do more than spend one day out of the school year getting children excited about reading,” said Clara Floyd, President of the MSTA. “There are great initiatives already going on that encourage our students to read, but Read Across Maryland will be a way for our children to see the Governor and other successful people come to their schools and personally encourage them to make reading good books a lifelong habit.”
Maryland’s public school students will be treated to readings by community leaders, elected officials, published authors and educators to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the creation of the Cat in the Hat and what would have been Dr. Seuss’ 105th birthday. Educators, local education associations and other organizations will embrace the celebration of reading with special events and programs in classrooms, museums, restaurants, libraries, shopping centers and malls.
Since the passage of the Thornton Bridge to Excellence Plan, State funding for local school systems has increased by $1.97 billion dollars, a 76-percent increase. Governor O’Malley proposed a record $5.4 billion funding level for FY10 despite difficult economic times, including full funding of Thornton formulas statewide. In addition, for the first time ever, Maryland will have invested more than $1 billion in school construction funding over a three year period, including over $260 million proposed for FY10 alone statewide. This includes more than $119 million for Prince George’s County school construction in the first three years of the O’Malley-Brown Administration. State funds proposed for FY10 combined with federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act total more than $1 billion for Prince George’s Schools in FY10.
“I am extremely proud to join Governor Martin O’Malley in celebrating the importance of literacy in Maryland, and extend our appreciation for his ongoing support of public education,” said Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., Prince George’s County Board of Education Chair. “Thanks to the quick response by our state leaders to the President’s economic stimulus plan, we will be able to maintain initiatives and programs that are key in continuing the upward trend of student achievement in Prince George's County public schools.”
In early January, Education Week Magazine ranked Maryland’s public schools number one in the nation. Shortly thereafter, the College Board ranked Maryland’s high schools number one in the nation for Advanced Placement participation and achievement.
For more information
“Read Across Maryland” : www.mstanea.org.
For parent tips, recommended lists, and more on NEA’s “Read Across America,” : www.nea.org/readacross.
Listen to .mp3 message from the Governor for students taking the MSAs
