Building a community of readers
Every student deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader. Through Together We Read, the School District of Lancaster is expanding access to books and bringing families and community partners into the work of encouraging reading beyond the classroom.
The campaign is part of our Literacy Advancement Plan, which connects strong reading instruction in our schools with opportunities for students to discover books they enjoy. Our goal is to help students develop the skills to read successfully and the interest to keep reading.
Bringing reading into everyday life
A book about a favorite topic can give a student a reason to keep turning pages. A conversation about a story can help a family connect. Together We Read creates more opportunities for those experiences at home and throughout Lancaster.
Our priorities include expanding access to books in convenient community locations and increasing opportunities to use digital reading resources beyond the school day. Schools will develop activities that reflect their students’ interests, supported by shared district resources.
Partnerships with local organizations and businesses will help create additional opportunities for students to engage with books and connect with reading mentors. We’ll also share reading recommendations, student successes and resources families can use at home.
Make reading part of your family’s routine
You don’t need a formal lesson to encourage reading at home. Start with your child’s interests and find ways to enjoy books together.
- Let your child help choose. Explore books about topics they enjoy, including graphic novels, nonfiction and familiar favorites.
- Read and talk together. Share a story and ask what caught your child’s attention or what they think might happen next.
- Visit a library. Give your child time to browse and ask a librarian for recommendations.
- Stay connected with school. Ask your child’s teacher about reading resources and ways to support the skills they’re learning.
Strong reading instruction in our schools
Encouraging students to enjoy books goes hand in hand with teaching them how to read. Structured literacy is the instructional component of our Literacy Advancement Plan, with a particular focus on foundational reading skills in kindergarten through second grade.
The district is expanding teacher training and coaching in UFLI Foundations, a program that supports foundational reading instruction. Consistent classroom routines give students focused opportunities to learn and practice essential skills.
Teachers use assessment information to understand students’ progress and adjust instruction. Through our Multi-Tiered System of Support, schools provide additional help based on students’ needs, including targeted phonics instruction and intervention in participating schools.
Professional learning and ongoing coaching support teachers as they strengthen instruction and respond to the readers in their classrooms.
A community kickoff at McCaskey: "Tale"-gate
An estimated 10,000 students, families, staff, and community members filled Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Stadium on Wednesday evening for the School District of Lancaster’s “Tale”-Gating literacy celebration, making it one of the largest community events in district history.
Drawing families from across Lancaster, the event served as the official kickoff to Together We Read, the community engagement component of the district’s Literacy Advancement Plan.
Inside the stadium, students explored reading stations hosted by community partners, climbed on giant inflatables, participated in activities on the field, and met former Philadelphia Eagles Brian Dawkins and Brandon Graham, who joined the district in promoting the importance of reading. Thousands waited in fast-moving lines to pose for photos with the Eagles legends.
A special thank you to our partners: City Limits Foundation, ABM, Blusky, Iconex, Lancaster County Community Foundation, Lancaster Education Foundation, and the Lancaster County STEM Alliance for their financial support of this event!
