Governor Martin O'Malley Participates in Read Across America Day
Visits School Kids at Eastport Elementary School
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 3, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today visited with students at Eastport Elementary school and participated in “Read Across America” day, an annual reading motivation and awareness program for children. The event takes place every year on or around Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
“Reading is fundamental to the success of a child’s education,” said Governor O’Malley. “I am honored to participate in ‘Read Across America Day,’ and am especially honored to visit with the students at Eastport Elementary School.”
During his visit, Governor O’Malley, who was also joined by Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer and the Maryland State Teacher’s Association President Clara Floyd, read a Dr. Seuss book to a Kindergarten class and visited with fourth grade students who are learning about the Chesapeake Bay.
“As a former teacher, I am always excited about any opportunity to read to young people. I am especially glad that the Governor is joining me this year,” said Mayor Moyer. “Programs like the Big Read and Read Across America are an attempt to restore reading to the center of American life and culture. Nothing promotes conversation or fires the imagination like sitting down and reading a book with your children.”
Building on a $400 million investment last year for school construction, Governor O’Malley’s FY 2009 capital budget includes $333 million for new schools and school renovation projects in local jurisdictions. The budget includes an increase of $184 million for K-12 Education, including an unprecedented $75.8 million for the Geographic Cost of Education Index. The FY 2009 budget also invests $34.4 million in Supplemental Grants to ensure all jurisdictions receive an increase over last year, $55.3 million to increase Teacher Retirement payments to $622 million, and $2 million for the new SEED school.
“Read Across America” day is a national program created by the National Education Association, an association comprised of 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, and 40 national organizations and associations. National Education Association’s “Read Across America” program also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading through the year. Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.
