Macon County Kindergarten Reads Now

The Macon County Elementary School Bulldogs are barking up a storm!

The school’s new reading program called “BARK” stands for “Become a Reader in Kindergarten.”

On Friday, students and faculty invited parents to participate in a reading party. The kids and guests kicked off the celebration with song and dance, new books, and cake.

The initiative will provide every kindergarten student with a new book once a week for the entire school year. It’s a way to encourage kids and parents to start reading early.

Teacher Shirley Coleman says, “The earlier you start reading, it exposes your child to go places that they probably won’t be able to go in real life, but the book will take them there.”

“I believe strongly that if we start them now they’ll continue to read well into their adult years as well – that’s a strong foundation to keep them going through school,” says parent Carol Hollis.

The schools principal Gail Smith got the idea to start BARK after learning about Dolly Parton’s efforts to provide books for every child born in her home county. Smith just adapted the concept to fit Macon County Elementary.

“The true message that we’re trying to give to our parents how important it is to read to your children from the time they’re born. Then, when they come to kindergarten when they’re five, they’ll be ready to go,” says Smith.

By the end of the school year each child will have a set of 62 books.