Event Details
Delray Reads Day is an annual community-wide event established in 2012 to support the Delray Beach Campaign for Grade-Level Reading by bringing community leaders and residents into area schools to learn more about how they can help schools and students. Our goal is to create long-term relationships between the schools and community members, and at the same time show our community's commitment to improving our students' third grade reading scores by 50 percent before the end of 2020.
Delray Reads Day begins with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast featuring a keynote speaker and entertainment by our students. After the Delray Reads Day breakfast, readers proceed to their assigned schools by 9:00 a.m. and spend approximately 30-60 minutes in a classroom reading to and talking with students.
Delray Reads Day begins with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast featuring a keynote speaker and entertainment by our students. After the Delray Reads Day breakfast, readers proceed to their assigned schools by 9:00 a.m. and spend approximately 30-60 minutes in a classroom reading to and talking with students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which schools are participating in Delray Reads Day?
A. All the public elementary schools in Delray Beach are participating: Banyan Creek, Morikami Park, Orchard View, Pine Grove, Plumosa, S.D. Spady & Village Academy. View our map showing the location of participating schools.
Q. How do I register?
A. Click here.
Q. When and where is the breakfast?
A. The 7:30 a.m. breakfast is at the Delray Beach Public Library at 100 W Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444.
Q. Is there a cost for breakfast?
A. No. It is open to readers at no charge.
Q. Can I skip the breakfast and go directly to the school where I am reading?
A. Absolutely, as long as you are there by 9:00 a.m. But please, don't arrive at the schools earlier than 8:45 a.m.
Q. Where do I go once I get to my school?
A. Check in at the school's main office. You will be directed to your next destination from there.
Q. Do I need to bring a book?
A. No. This year's book--Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie--will be provided at the school, along with grade-appropriate discussion questions. Click here to see a short video about the story.
Q. Will I be reading for a full hour?
A. No. You only need to spend as much time as it takes to introduce yourself, read the book, and briefly discuss the book with students and/or answer questions from students. Most readers spend about 30 minutes in the classroom.
Q. Can reading to children for 30 minutes make a difference?
A. It just might. A short visit from someone who cares could positively impact a child.
Q. How can I get more information?
A. Contact Janet Meeks at (561) 243-7231 or meeksj@mydelraybeach.com.
A. All the public elementary schools in Delray Beach are participating: Banyan Creek, Morikami Park, Orchard View, Pine Grove, Plumosa, S.D. Spady & Village Academy. View our map showing the location of participating schools.
Q. How do I register?
A. Click here.
Q. When and where is the breakfast?
A. The 7:30 a.m. breakfast is at the Delray Beach Public Library at 100 W Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444.
Q. Is there a cost for breakfast?
A. No. It is open to readers at no charge.
Q. Can I skip the breakfast and go directly to the school where I am reading?
A. Absolutely, as long as you are there by 9:00 a.m. But please, don't arrive at the schools earlier than 8:45 a.m.
Q. Where do I go once I get to my school?
A. Check in at the school's main office. You will be directed to your next destination from there.
Q. Do I need to bring a book?
A. No. This year's book--Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie--will be provided at the school, along with grade-appropriate discussion questions. Click here to see a short video about the story.
Q. Will I be reading for a full hour?
A. No. You only need to spend as much time as it takes to introduce yourself, read the book, and briefly discuss the book with students and/or answer questions from students. Most readers spend about 30 minutes in the classroom.
Q. Can reading to children for 30 minutes make a difference?
A. It just might. A short visit from someone who cares could positively impact a child.
Q. How can I get more information?
A. Contact Janet Meeks at (561) 243-7231 or meeksj@mydelraybeach.com.
Reading Tips
When you get to the classroom, please take a few minutes to share the five Ws about you. Tell the students:
WHO you are.
WHAT you like to do.
WHERE you're from.
WHEN you decided you liked reading.
WHY you wanted to read to their classroom.
WHO you are.
WHAT you like to do.
WHERE you're from.
WHEN you decided you liked reading.
WHY you wanted to read to their classroom.
...then R-E-A-D!
Read the book aloud.
Engage students in conversation.
Ask students to make connections, visualize, and make predictions ("What do you think will happen next?").
Discuss with students their thoughts about the book.
Engage students in conversation.
Ask students to make connections, visualize, and make predictions ("What do you think will happen next?").
Discuss with students their thoughts about the book.
Testimonials
"It was a wonderful morning and I look forward to reading to the students again soon."
"The Delray Reads Day event was one of the most well organized and enjoyable events I've ever attended. From start to finish, it was well planned, directions were impeccable, information was available before it was even requested, the breakfast was not only good, but they had motivational speakers to prepare us to read to the children, and all were exceptional. We went on to the school where we were to read to the children well equipped for the task at hand. We arrived at the school, Orchard View Elementary, and the personnel were helpful and knowledgeable about where we were to go and how to find the classroom, etc. They had all of our names ready on tags and books ready to be read. Then the best part of the day—we read to the children. I admit I'm gushing, but it was just wonderful. I had about 25-30 kindergarteners and they were sweet and loving. Their teacher, Ms. Godoy, was gracious and capable, and handled the children with such care. Overall, I was so impressed by the day that I would do it again in a heartbeat—and encourage others to do it also." — Marge Williams, Plastridge Insurance Agency, Inc.
"I thought the program was wonderful. The Page Turner duo was excellent at the breakfast, and the guest speaker was very motivational."
"I enjoyed reading to the children. What imaginations! I would be interested in doing this again next year."
"The breakfast was a great blend of pep rally and useful tips for reading to groups, and engaging young listeners in thinking about the book, not just listening passively. My school, Orchard View, was well organized to receive volunteers. It was great fun!! I think this was one of the best single day volunteers events I have ever participated in. Your pre-event communications were excellent; arrangements at the high school were beyond expectations; food, hospitality, organization....great!!!"
"It was absolutely wonderful. I have already entered my name for clearance so I can participate in more activities as a volunteer."
"I will always remember this experience. Many hands were raised without fear expressing feelings about bullying, not fitting in and being kind and understanding to others that look different. The children had many questions about the story but more about me personally. I answered each one. It was a tender morning of sharing trust, caring and mutual respect. I hope the children enjoyed as much as I did. They were adorable, so alert, and their minds were like sponges.....very impressed with the questions they asked. One young boy pulled me down to his chair and gave a me a very long hug. This was a wonderful opportunity for all of us."
"The Delray Reads Day event was one of the most well organized and enjoyable events I've ever attended. From start to finish, it was well planned, directions were impeccable, information was available before it was even requested, the breakfast was not only good, but they had motivational speakers to prepare us to read to the children, and all were exceptional. We went on to the school where we were to read to the children well equipped for the task at hand. We arrived at the school, Orchard View Elementary, and the personnel were helpful and knowledgeable about where we were to go and how to find the classroom, etc. They had all of our names ready on tags and books ready to be read. Then the best part of the day—we read to the children. I admit I'm gushing, but it was just wonderful. I had about 25-30 kindergarteners and they were sweet and loving. Their teacher, Ms. Godoy, was gracious and capable, and handled the children with such care. Overall, I was so impressed by the day that I would do it again in a heartbeat—and encourage others to do it also." — Marge Williams, Plastridge Insurance Agency, Inc.
"I thought the program was wonderful. The Page Turner duo was excellent at the breakfast, and the guest speaker was very motivational."
"I enjoyed reading to the children. What imaginations! I would be interested in doing this again next year."
"The breakfast was a great blend of pep rally and useful tips for reading to groups, and engaging young listeners in thinking about the book, not just listening passively. My school, Orchard View, was well organized to receive volunteers. It was great fun!! I think this was one of the best single day volunteers events I have ever participated in. Your pre-event communications were excellent; arrangements at the high school were beyond expectations; food, hospitality, organization....great!!!"
"It was absolutely wonderful. I have already entered my name for clearance so I can participate in more activities as a volunteer."
"I will always remember this experience. Many hands were raised without fear expressing feelings about bullying, not fitting in and being kind and understanding to others that look different. The children had many questions about the story but more about me personally. I answered each one. It was a tender morning of sharing trust, caring and mutual respect. I hope the children enjoyed as much as I did. They were adorable, so alert, and their minds were like sponges.....very impressed with the questions they asked. One young boy pulled me down to his chair and gave a me a very long hug. This was a wonderful opportunity for all of us."
