The Nevada Department of Education Celebrates Nevada Reading Week
March 11, 2024
Carson City, Nev. - The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) celebrated Nevada Reading Week alongside school districts, charter organizations, private schools, and communities across Nevada from March 4-8, 2024. As proclaimed by Governor Joe Lombardo, Nevada Reading Week is focused on inspiring and instilling the joy and importance of reading.
"By embracing the joy of reading during Reading Week, we empower our students with the tools to explore new worlds, expand their horizons, and cultivate lifelong learning,” said Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Through literacy, they not only unlock the doors to knowledge but also embark on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment."
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert, Governor Joe Lombardo, Attorney General Aaron Ford, and State Board of Education Members, participated in classroom readings. Many other community members and organizations also volunteered their time to read in classrooms, making Nevada Reading Week truly a community effort to encourage the importance of reading to students. This year’s theme is “Embrace the Magic of Reading,” and the logo was designed by Learsi Romero, a sixth grader, from Robison Middle School in the Clark County School District.
“It was exciting to celebrate Nevada Reading Week last week,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “Nevada Reading Week helps instill a lifelong love of reading in our students, which enables our students to dream big and accomplish their goals.”
While Nevada Reading Week is primarily focused on students, educators also received the opportunity to participate in professional learning. The second annual Nevada Reading Week Kick-Off Event for Nevada librarians, literacy specialists, instructional coaches, and PreK-12th grade educators took place on March 2, 2024. Savvas Learning Company provided Dr. Elfrieda Heibert and Dr. Ernest Morrell, who shared research and information on how educators can support literacy development and foster students' love of learning.
In addition to many local celebrations in schools and communities, the Author LIVE Event connected students from PreK-12th grade with national and local authors. This year’s authors included renowned writers such as Kwame Alexander and Jennifer Holm. Approximately 32,000 students across Nevada participated in the Author LIVE Event. Students engaged with authors in a virtual setting.
The Nevada Department of Education launched Reading Week in 1987 as a state-wide initiative for Nevada teachers and librarians to celebrate reading through shared thematic activities. The Nevada Reading Week Committee consists of members from various stakeholder groups. The committee is dedicated to a year-long planning process that includes activities preceding Nevada Reading Week such as the theme selection, the statewide student art contest, and the online t-shirt store. The events leading up to Nevada Reading Week serve to enhance the celebration and foster state-wide community by reinforcing a collective commitment to the joy of reading.
More information about Nevada Reading Week can be found at www.nevadareadingweek.org
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About the Nevada Department of Education
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more about NDE and join us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Instagram.