The Leeward District of Seventh Day Adventist Primary School held their Literacy week from February 7 to 11, 2011, under the theme Reading! Learning for Living.{{more}}

The Literacy Coordinator Fiona Taylor declared the week open with a brief remarks to the students on the importance of reading. Taylor said that ‘It is a well-known fact that when there were no televisions or computers, Reading was a primary leisure activity. People would spend hours reading books and travel to lands far away-in their minds. The only tragedy is that, with time, people have lost their skill and passion to read. There are many other exciting and thrilling options available, aside from books. And that is a shame because reading offers a productive approach to improving vocabulary and word power. It is advisable to indulge in at least half an hour of reading a day to keep abreast of the various styles of writing and new vocabulary.’

During the week, there was reading among grades, poetry, a poster competition and different reading puzzles/games. Parents, however, were not left out of this as they participated in a reading workshop that was facilitated by Albena Jack from the Curriculum Unit of the Ministry of Education. She urged parents to read to their children and to create a print rich environment.

The celebration continued with a grand march led by the Layou Pathfinders Club drum corps around Buccament Bay. Various classes displayed their posters informing the public on the importance of reading. They sang songs of reading and they were also supported by their parents and Unique Preschool – Layou.

The march ended at the school grounds, where a rally was then held. The headteacher of the school addressed the students on the importance of reading, and the specially invited guest Albena Jack did a splendid job by inspiring students and parents on the importance of reading. She said that reading is a tool, a skill, and an ability. She told teachers to encourage students to talk in class so that their language can develop and to use the Internet to motivate students to read and learn. She highlighted that both the spoken and written word are the building blocks of life. It develops our minds and the exercises help us to discover new things.