2009 Embassy Events
Hon. Charles Maynard, Minister of Culture Reads as “Celebrity Reader”
March 25, 2009
On Wednesday, March 18, the Hon. Charles Maynard, joined Embassy volunteers as the “Celebrity Reader” in the ongoing “Read To Lead” Reading/Mentoring program at Woodcock Primary School. Reading to students in grade 6W, Minister Maynard commented that he enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to read and interact with the students.
The “Read to Lead” program was launched officially in October 2008, as a result of a joint partnership by the U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Education to inspire children to read. The national reading program is geared toward students in grades 4, 5, 6, in government primary schools in New Providence and the Family Islands. The program seeks to attract community volunteers to participate in the once weekly 30-minute exercise.
The Read to Lead program is modeled after the Embassy initiated Woodcock Primary Reading Program started four years ago by former U.S. Ambassador John Rood and continued by former Ambassador Ned L. Siegel.
The Ministry of Education identified two books for the “Read to Lead Program”. During the first semester the students read “Morning Girl” by Michael Dorris. “Green Boy” by Susan Cooper is currently being read. The “Read to Lead’ program comes to a close on April 1. The program will resume in September with new reading books to be identified by the Ministry of Education.