The Mayor's Summer Reading Club - A Literacy Adventure

The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club (MSRC) is presented by the Rotary Club of LaGrange in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, the City of LaGrange and Get Troup Reading. Mayor Jim Arrington is an active member of our Rotary Club and, like our other club members, is committed to encouraging the growth of literacy in our students. Throughout the summer, the MSRC will model research-based methods of reading books with children and provide enrichment events based on the stories. The books will come to life as children enjoy arts and crafts activities, drama exercises, and other hands-on activities designed to make the language in the stories meaningful to children. Four books have been selected including The Couch Potato, The Cool Bean, The Sour Grape and The Smart Cookie all by author Jory John.

The first event will include a kick-off to summer party on May 15th with a proclamation by Mayor Arrington. The Couch Potato will be read aloud and copies distributed to attending children. Rotarians will be on hand to help get the books to children and assist as needed.

During the months of June and July, additional events include a pool party with Kona Ice as The Cool Bean is shared and a movie preview at AMC Theater with Sour Patch Kids snacks as The Sour Grape is shared.  Each child will receive a book, and a bag of literacy activities centered around the theme of each.Books and book kits will be available at no charge to the children not only at the events, but also at designated locations around the community.

To conclude the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club, a final event will be held with a theatrical presentation to be performed centered around The Smart Cookie with arts and crafts provided for the whole family.

Numerous volunteer opportunities allow Rotarians to work with community groups who are also focused on literacy such as Get Troup Reading. Success By Six, Certified Literacy Community and Literacy Volunteers of Troup County. Together, we will all work to make the program a smashing success.

The funds for this program were made possible by our proceeds from our September 5K event.