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July 6, 2011 “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” read U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last week to over 100 students from DC area schools and Early Head Start programs at ED’s first installment of this year’s Let’s Read! Let’s Move! series held at ED headquarters. Holder joined Secretary Duncan, NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan in kicking off the 2011 Let’s Read! Let’s Move! series that seeks to increase awareness of the importance of summer learning and encourage adults to read to children.
Holder offered a spirited rendition of Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, while Abdul-Jabbar read Mina Javaherbin’s Goal, a book about a group of South African children who overcome bullying to follow their love of playing soccer. Following the reading, students discussed the importance of reading, eating healthy, and staying fit and participated in a series of fitness stations as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative.
After the activities, the students snacked on fruit and granola bars and received an autographed children’s book from Scanlan. Each school that participated in the event received a book for its school library signed by all the celebrities at the event. Students from Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Youth Center, Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc., Children’s Choice Learning Center, and the Parents Coalition of Montgomery County attended the event.
ED’s Let’s Read! Let’s Move! series brings together Cabinet members, administration officials and other public figures to read children’s books and promote healthy lifestyles. ED’s partners for this year’s series include the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington Physical, Healthy, Drive (PHD) program that will contribute staff and resources to conduct games, Target will provide books and healthy snacks, and Nickelodeon will provide cookbooks and pedometers.
Additional Let’s Read! Let’s Move! events are scheduled for July 12, 20, and 26.
Noah Bokat-Lindell and Eugene Smith are interns at the Department of Education.