Reading a written language is a complex skill.  Yet when we know how to employ the skill set, it opens many doors.  At times I wonder if, as a society, reading is being forgotten in our age of technology and immediate gratification.   

I am not a voracious reader.  There are many reasons for me to write such a statement.  I am sure some of my column readers are aghast at such an announcement, especially from the superintendent.  I do actually spend many hours reading each and every week.  Most of my reading is work-related.  I read many educational research pieces, latest books on leadership, and spend countless hours on work-related documents.  All these efforts put to good use the reading skills taught to me by my parents and teachers. 

What is missing from my reading ventures is an expanded personal effort.  I do read a few magazines, an occasional book, and daily and weekly newspapers.  Yet I know I can do better.  I am slowly but surely learning how to recapture time for personal reading.  An amazing outcome of this venture is the shear pleasure derived.  I had forgotten how enjoyable and stress relieving reading can be as an activity, to get lost in a book and forget the world around oneself.

Children come to school with various reading skills.  My observation is our society is slowly separating itself based on skills they have entering school; skills that enable some to achieve much more than the next person.  One of those skills that is "the key" to learning is reading ability. If someone can't read at the required level, the rest of learning can become a disaster waiting to happen.   If one can't read, they not only lose out on learning, but communication skills are thwarted, entertainment is lost, and doors to future education and jobs can be reduced, if not eliminated. 

The district has a number of initiatives in place at all levels to address reading skills.  In the past two years, the district has implemented a new literacy curriculum at the elementary level.  I have watched the faculty work and visited with them about the new approach.  The teachers are excited about the new curriculum and related instructional strategies.  Their observations indicate students are more excited and engaged in reading than in the past.  Time will tell if the excitement and engagement results in improved reading comprehension and other literacy skills.

Our community can lend a hand in improving student reading skills.  How?  Well let me count the ways.  Actually, it takes more space than my column allows; therefore, I have listed just a few ways people can help. 

Parents-read to and with your children, and also model the importance of reading by reading yourself.  As parents, ask your children's teachers about ideas to improve their reading skills.  Principals and teachers have countless suggestions and ideas. 

Community-members who currently do not have children in school, there is a role for you too.  I suggest you consider volunteering some time to read in one of the schools.  February is "I Love to Read" month and what better time to start.  

Another outlet for both parents and residents would be to assist struggling readers.  Thanks to Ken Ogden, the Buffalo Rotary Club initiated a reading/mentoring effort two years ago with the middle school to work regularly with those students who struggle with reading.  The school district would welcome additional interest from community members in this area.  The goal of No Child Left Behind is to have all students at their expected level in reading by the year 2014.  To reach this goal successfully, the district could use some extra hands.

My final suggestion is for everyone to join forces with the high school and participate in the Community Book Read on Monday, April 5.  The community reading event has been conducted the past four years.  The selected book features an author from the area and culminates with a student-led book discussion and presentation by the author.  As a community, we can role model the importance of reading to students; it sends a powerful message.

Maybe I am the only one who feels the need to read more.  If so, I can live with that expectation.  If on the other hand you feel likewise, then set a goal this year to read more.  I believe you will find the outcome, should you succeed, will enrich your life and the lives of those around you.