The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has once again partnered with the City of Norfolk, TowneBank and Norfolk Public Schools for the annual Read with MEac community reading program.
The Read with MEac program, now in its 17th year, was created by the MEAC’s Senior Woman Administrators (SWA) to promote the love of reading. Read with MEac encourages Norfolk Public School elementary and middle school students to read and participate in activities through the Star Data Reading online program.
“We are proud to partner once again with Norfolk Public Schools, the City of Norfolk, and TowneBank for the 17th year of the Read with MEac reading program,” said MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills. “Education and community outreach are central pillars of the MEAC’s commitment to the Norfolk community, and this program exemplifies our dedication to academic excellence. I want to thank Superintendent Byrdsong for her visionary leadership and unwavering support in inspiring Norfolk Public Schools students to embrace the joy of reading.”
This year’s program will focus on elementary and middle school students from participating Norfolk Public Schools. Participants’ reading progress will be assessed based on the greatest scaled score gains on the Star Data Reading online system from November 2024 to February 2025 to determine the winners.
Winners will be announced in a press release from the MEAC in February. An on-site celebration at the winning school will also be held in March as a part of the MEAC’s annual men’s and women’s basketball tournament events.
“Norfolk Public Schools is honored to extend our partnership with the MEAC conference for the Read with MEac Celebration,” said Superintendent Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong. “This collaboration aims to promote literacy and academic excellence among our students. Last year’s event was a resounding success, recognizing the outstanding achievements of our students, including the Top 15 readers at Camp Allen Elementary School and the 15 Most Improved readers. We firmly believe that literacy is the foundation of academic success, and initiatives like the Read with MEac Celebration are instrumental in fostering a reading culture within our schools.”
Dr. Byrdsong continued, “The Read with MEac Celebration is more than just an event; it embodies the power of community partnerships in creating an environment that inspires students to reach their full potential. By collaborating with the MEAC conference, we are able to provide our students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, emphasizing the importance of reading as a fundamental skill that will benefit them throughout their lives. We eagerly anticipate building upon this success in 2024 and celebrating the dedication of our young readers across the district. Together, with the support of our partners and community, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive, succeed, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.”
The schools from the selected Norfolk Public Schools with the greatest scaled score gains could win the following prizes: $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $500 for third place. The class with the greatest scaled score gains will win $1,000.
