City leaders from Zephyrhills are stepping up to boost literacy efforts among the community’s young children.
“There’s a commitment from the city to support our literacy efforts. They are doing that not only through their innovative programs at the public library, but they’re also committed to have their city employees volunteer in our schools,” said Poe, the district’s assistant superintendent of elementary schools.
“So, at this time — and they’ve been doing it for over a month — every week we have the librarian, airport director, finance director and public information officer volunteering at West Zephyrhills Elementary.
“We have the city manager, police chief and public works director volunteering at Woodland Elementary. They have an assigned time, an hour a week, that they do during their work day, with assigned third-graders.
“So, they are working with those students who are really trying to give it their all this year, and we know that’s a high stakes year and we’re focusing our efforts there.
“Also, City Council members Lance Smith and Steve Spina — they are members of the Zephyrhills Noon Rotary — so they heard of the initiative and wanted to get involved, so they and the Rotary members are pushing into West Zephyrhills Elementary, focusing on first-grade learners.
“So, we’re super-excited to know that the efforts are citywide.
“And they’re working along our two elementary schools to impact their youngest citizens.
“We know it takes a village. It’s cliché. We hear it, but we know it does take all of us working together to positively impact our community, and we are all in on literacy this year.”
Published December 13, 2023
