Dozens of students at Parkway Village Elementary School joined millions of readers across the country to enjoy one book. You read that correctly; one book! They participated in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record event, a nationwide initiative that unifies students with a single story. 

“Our students are part of a loving community that is invested in their literacy,” said Assistant Principal Hajar Nelson. “They wanted to ensure that students not only enjoy a great story, but that they would support their literacy by adding to their home library.”

This year’s book, Piper Chen Sings, was written by Grammy Award-Winning Hamilton star Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran. The story centers around a young girl who learns how to successfully navigate feelings of anxiousness to meet an exciting goal.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) students learn how to navigate multiple feelings as they press toward academic success. Leaders empower and develop teachers, who, in turn, empower and develop students. Several classes enjoyed hearing the story through the voices of community readers, including Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board Commissioners Joyce Dorse Coleman and Sable Otey.

Additional specialized staff, volunteers, and community members also rally around schools and students throughout the school year and the calendar year to emphasize the power of literacy. 

Employees say events like Read for the Record highlight that reading is something that can be done together, and students who may face challenges in reading don’t have to face them alone.

“I want them to know the importance of literacy and how impactful it is for them,” said Assistant Principal Nelson.