The Missouri Valley College Murrell Library and Education Division are participating in Jumpstart’s Read For The Record, which is an early literacy campaign. This event brings millions of adults and children together to read the same book on the same day all around the United States.
A news release says this year, “Thank You, Omu!” by Oge Mora will be read to area schools in Marshall and Saline County to assist with Jumpstart’s attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record.
Marshall Mayor Julie Schwetz will be in the MVC Commons Library at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, to sign a proclamation stating the month of November 2019 to be Family Literacy Month. During her visit, she will read “Thank You, Omu!” to the Viking Learning Academy preschoolers. In addition, Marshall High School students, area educators, MVC wrestlers and MVC education students will be traveling that day to read the book to area elementary schools.
Incorporating this initiative in Saline County was spearheaded by Peggy Sherman’s EDU 372 course. Sherman is an associate professor of education at MVC and worked closely with Hannah Von Hagel, a junior education major, who will be using this as her honors symposium project. Sherman and Von Hagel also collaborated with MVC eLearning & Outreach Coordinator Sarah Haug and Murrell Library Public Relations, Marketing and Outreach Specialist Margot Mirabal over the past four months.
The goal set for Thursday is to read to 1,000 students. The MVC Murrell Library, MVC Education Division and S-MSTA purchased 50 copies of “Thank You, Omu!” to donate to participating schools. Participating Saline County schools include Northwest, Benton and Southeast Elementary in Marshall, Hardeman School, MPS Early Childhood Program, Spainhower School, Bright Beginnings Preschool, Marshall Head Start, Malta Bend Elementary, Orearville School, Viking Learning Academy, Brunswick Elementary, Miami School, Slater Early Childhood & Elementary and Sweet Springs Elementary.