Education

9th Annual Governor's Reading Challenge Begins June 12

ST. THOMAS -- The Virgin Islands Department of Education in partnership with the Office of the Governor announced on Wednesday the launch of the 9th Annual Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, which will run Monday, June 12 through Friday, September 22. The annual activity challenges students in grades K-6 to read five or more books during the summer months in an effort to boost students’ literacy skills. The national initiative enjoys participation from governors of all 50 states and territories. In the Virgin Islands, students receive a packet containing two books, tracking sheets and a letter offering motivational words from the governor. All books are written and illustrated by Virgin Islands’ or Caribbean authors—a unique feature of the Virgin Islands Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge. In his letter to students, Governor Mapp stressed the benefits of reading and the wide variety of books that are available. “Books, after all, are written about every subject under the sun,” he st...