Schools

Guys Read at South Bay Elementary School

Second-graders from Debbie Mahler's class listening to a book read by guest reader Nephtali Serrano.

In an effort to encourage elementary school-aged boys to develop and foster a love of reading, John Varrone, acting library/media specialist at South Bay Elementary School in the West Babylon School District, initiated the Guys Read campaign. 

Varrone recently invited the fathers, older brothers and grandfathers of students to visit the school library and share stories with the classes.

“Boys don't have enough positive male role models for literacy,” Varrone said. “Many boys may not see reading as a masculine activity. Having dads or male family members come in and read helps to change that perception. The program is beneficial to both the fathers and their sons. 

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"Often times, many of their joint activities revolve around Major League Baseball, the NFL or ESPN. While there is nothing wrong with a healthy interest in sports by father and son, we need to get all children, especially boys, more involved in reading. Learning these skills will improve their chances for success in the real world." 

Info/photo courtesy of Syntax 

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