Statewide Reading Incentive Project has its Roots in Monmouth
Release Date: February 13, 2002
Peggy Kulczewski, a 15-year veteran of
the Monmouth public school system, has always had a great interest in literacy.
Seeking to instill that passion
into her first graders, she took them on a field trip last year to read in a “special
place” – the Executive Mansion in Springfield – and out of that trip, a statewide
initiative developed.
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Jessica, a third-grader at
Willits School in Monmouth, reads to Sandy Giese,
wife of Monmouth College president Richard F.
Giese,
during a recent visit to Quinby House for the "Illinois
Reads in Special Places" program. |
Upon the group’s return, Kulczewski
sent Gov. George Ryan’s
office a collection of her students’ writings and pictures about the
trip. Kulczewski, who has also lectured the past seven years at Monmouth College, was
informed last year that the governor’s office had decided to build on the idea through
the creation of a statewide initiative, “Illinois Reads in Special Places.”
The initiative encourages teachers and their
students to choose a day to go read in a special place in the community, accompanied by
parents and/or community leaders. The students are then asked to submit photos, drawings,
essays, stories and poems about the event to the governor’s office, where some of the works
will be chosen to be part of a book about Illinois’ special places to read.
The focus of the program mirrors
Kulczewski’s original intent to inspire literacy among children and adults.
“Most of us take reading for granted, yet I
believe that reading was a gift given to us by our parents, teachers and many others,” she
said.
To be a part of this initiative and to
continue the program that has its roots in Monmouth, 72 third grade students from Willits
Primary School took a field trip last month, choosing Monmouth College as their “special
place.”
“Monmouth College enriches our community,”
said Kulczewski. “The college is a very special place in our community.”
The students visited the Morgan Room of
Poling Hall, where they were met by director of college communications Jeff Rankin; Hewes
Library, where library director Rick Sayre greeted them; and Quinby House, where Sandy Giese
was the host. During the latter visit, the students were also treated to a surprise visit from
college president Richard Giese.
Released
by the Office of College Communications
Barry McNamara, Associate Director of College Communications
Phone: 309-457-2117
Fax: 309-457-2330
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