| Dr. William Connor Primary Re-opens Library During Literacy Week |
| By L.K. Hewlett |
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Valencia Syder, principal of the Dr. William Connor Primary School, reigning queen "Lall", and Clarice Cotton, Education Officer, cut the ribbon at the school's library re-opening |
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Feb. 2 -- The Dr. William Connor Primary School has re-affirmed its commitment to improving reading levels among students by re-opening the school’s library.
During Wednesday’s (Feb. 1) re-opening ceremony, the school’s principal Valencia Syder said it was realized that many of the students struggled with reading, which lead to poor test results. She said the school’s aim was to not only improve the students’ literary capabilities but also to maintain high levels of reading.
Syder said it was in light of this consideration that a decision was taken to re-open the school's library which had been dormant for a number of years.
"We aim for our students to become lovers of books and competent readers who not only read for fun, but read to fully comprehend what is written. Reading is fun, enjoy it, but at the same time learn from it," she said.
Sixth-grader Eurecia Foster received rousing applause for her delivery of a speech outlining what reading meant to her. The articulate pre-teen said reading taught children to think more than just what teachers taught them, and proved that nothing could stop them from finding about something if they really wanted to.
Education Officer Clarice Cotton addressed the gathering of students, teachers, parents and benefactors, underscoring the importance of the students possessing access to books and having teachers read to students on a regular basis.
The school’s Public Relations Officer, teacher Ruth Duporte, informed The Observer that the opening of the library coincided with the school’s Literacy Week of activities held under the theme, “Journey through the Caribbean with Reading".
Duporte also informed that on Friday morning (Feb. 3), the faculty and student body will be marching through the St. Johnston Village area with placards promoting reading. |
