Reading the room

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State Department of Human Services Director Courtney Hawkins stopped by Over the Rainbow Learning Center in Johnston on Thursday, Nov. 7, to read to students as part of a statewide SUPERS Read initiative.

Hawkins was a hit with kids at Over the Rainbow, reading selections that included “Thank You, Omu!” by Oge Mora. After the session concluded, Hawkins got high-fives from each of the students as they left the reading area.

A press release from the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children said that leaders who took part in the event “help highlight the need for partnerships between public school districts, state agencies, and early learning programs to close achievement gaps and improve educational outcomes at all levels.”

It also noted that the “reading celebration” was intended to “promote the importance of reading to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-k students as early and often as possible to stress the importance of building literacy skills from birth to give children the necessary tools for educational success.”

The series ran from Oct. 28 through Nov. 8, at the beginning of which Gov. Gina Raimondo unveiled kids.ri.gov. According to the release, the new website is in partnership with Rhode Island Children’s Cabinet and will showcase health and wellness resources available to families with children ages 0 to 5 years old.

“Early learning experiences matter,” Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island, said. “Supporting families during the first few years of their child’s life leads to positive long-term educational outcomes, higher high school graduation rates, and higher earned salaries for those children. This translates to a strong workforce and economic stability for our state.” (Sun Rise photos)

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