Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley is reiterating the importance of developing a love for reading as the Territory gears up to observe ‘Reading is Fun Week’ from October 10 to 16.

Honourable Wheatley said, “I am happy to see the hard work put into this annual event which promotes the love for reading.  I use this opportunity to appeal to the entire community to participate in this year’s Reading is Fun Week.  I further urge, parents, and guardians to continue good reading practices beyond this week.”

The Minister added, “According to science, everyone should read every day, in order to reap benefits such as building your vocabulary, which is a direct impact on how effectively you are able to communicate.  Reading helps you reduce stress, sleep better and the list continues.”

Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcia Potter is also urging parents, teachers and students to participate in the events planned for the week.

“Reading is Fun Week is designed with you in mind and your participation is needed to ensure a successful week,” she said. “Reading Transforms”, is the theme for this year’s celebration instituted by the department in the early 1990s.  It was designed to heighten awareness of the importance of reading and encourage Territory-wide participation in fostering an appreciation for reading. Principals and teachers are asked to engage students and their parents in reading activities that would promote the theme and the importance of reading.

For further information, contact the Ministry of Education at 468-3701 extension 2151.

Activities for the week:

• Sunday, October 10 - Opening Ceremony honouring Mrs. Lynden Smith for her contribution to literacy in the Virgin Islands– Elmore Stoutt High School, at 3:30 p.m.  by invitation.  The ceremony will also be streamed LIVE on the Government’s Facebook page.
• Monday, October 11 to Friday, October 15 - All schools in the Territory will have reading activities to observe the week.
• Monday, October 11 - “Story Time” videos and audios of individuals reading will be posted on media sites.
• Tuesday, October 12 - SnapComms- Students will be featured on the news programme of the Department of Information and Public Relations (GIS)
• Wednesday, October 13 - DYAS VOICE- The Virgin Islands in Literature Students discuss local literature. 

Story Time! - Videos and audios of individuals reading will be posted on media sites.

• Thursday, October 14 - SnapComms- Students will be featured on the programme of the Department of Information and Public Relations (GIS)

• A Chat with the Community - Local authors will discuss their books. 

• Story Time! - Videos and audios of individuals reading will be posted on media sites.Friday.

• Friday, October 15 - Story Time! videos and audios of individuals reading will be posted on media sites.
• Saturday, October 16 - Story Time! Reading of stories/poems by students/adults on local media. In addition, everyone is encouraged to share a story or poem on their Facebook page or other social media platform media.

Adults are invited to join in the celebration of reading.  If you are interested in sharing an excerpt from a story book on the Government’s Facebook page, you can contact the Ministry of Education before Thursday, October 7. The recording (audio/video) should not be more than two (2) minutes long. The quality of the recording should be excellent and the content age appropriate.