Read Across America Day is Friday

Friday, March 1 is Read Across America Day, a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. The mayors of Priest River and Oldtown have proclaimed March 1 as a day of reading and the Priest River Community Foundation Literacy Team is asking local businesses to help celebrate reading by decorating or dressing up as favorite book characters. Participating businesses will be judged on creativity, community spirit and promoting a love of reading.

Businesses will be provided with gift certificates for customers’ children that can be redeemed for a free book at the Priest River Library or the Blanchard Library. To sign up for the Read Across America Day competition, call or text 208-290-2663 or email priestrivercf@gmail.com.

The PRCF Literacy Team was formed in November 2017 with the mission of “Leading a Legacy of Literacy” and encourages families to “Read 20” minutes a day. Research has shown that children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading. The group has collected thousands of books. With the help of the Priest River Lamanna High School wood shop and art students decorative shelves were placed in businesses in Priest River and Blanchard and stocked with books for children to take home.

The Foundation also provides books for children attending Christmas on Main St. and has committed to funding a book for every student every year at all elementary schools in the district.