Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 14, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
First Lady Mona Locke and Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer lead reading celebration in Seattle
SEATTLE – Emphasizing that mastering the art of reading opens endless life opportunities,
Washington First Lady Mona Locke and
Seattle Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer helped lead an international celebration of “
Read for 2002” today. The reading event took place before a packed student assembly at
Kimball Elementary School in
Seattle.
“Read for 2002,” the third annual reading event created by
Scholastic Book Clubs, features gubernatorial first ladies across the nation leading students and teachers in their respective states to celebrate the power of reading.
“Jamie and I are honored to be here today to serve as ambassadors of reading -- leading Washington’s celebration of ‘Read for 2002,’” Locke said. “Right now, all across America, kids in other schools are reading just like you are. Tens of thousands of classrooms will be participating in this worldwide event, from our great state of Washington to Sweden, from the Carolinas to India.”
“Reading is important no matter what you decide to do with your life,” Locke continued. “If you can read well, you can learn anything. You can study how to be a doctor, an engineer, a firefighter, or -- like Jamie Moyer -- a major league player with the Seattle Mariners!”
Reading from the governor’s proclamation, the First Lady said, “We, on behalf of Governor Locke, declare December 14 ‘
Read for 2002: United We Read Day.’”
Locke and Moyer also announced at the assembly that they were giving 375 books to the
Kimball Elementary School Family Reading Night on behalf of Scholastic Books Clubs.
At the close of the school assembly, Locke and Moyer presented a
Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) achievement plaque to
Kimball School Principal Barbara Nielsen. The plaque was awarded to the school for improving their WASL reading scores by 20% in three years.
“I know that you kids at Kimball already know all about the importance of reading,” the First Lady said. “And, I know that because you all worked so hard to meet your WASL reading goal. Congratulations to Kimball teachers from kindergarten to fifth grade who have made reading a priority.”
Principal Nielsen accepted the award on behalf of the school and thanked teachers and
Washington Reading Corps volunteers for their efforts to improve students’ reading skills and WASL scores.
Prior to the assembly, Locke and Moyer read books for 2002 seconds (about 30 minutes) to first-grade students in the school library.
Related Links:
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Washington's First Lady Mona Locke
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The Moyer Foundation
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Seattle Public Schools
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Kimball Elementary School Scout Profile (KOMO 4)
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Scholastic Book Club's Read for 2002 / United We Read
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Washington Reading Corps
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Washington Assessment of Student Learning