University High School celebrated Literacy Week starting the week of January 26th, an annual celebration created to encourage students to read, explore different types of literature, and recognize how it plays a role in our everyday life. Orange County Public Schools theme this year is Read, White, & Blue: Celebrating 250 Chapters of America, connecting reading with American history, culture, and student engagement across the school.
Throughout the week, students and staff participated in themed spirit days, activities in the Media Center, and lessons that were centered around books and storytelling. “It means educating kids about the importance of reading and being exposed to the right word. It’s about showing kids the art of books and the wonder that comes with them,” said English teacher, Mrs. Raulerson. Many teachers looked forward to using Literacy Week to bring enthusiasm for reading back into the classroom.
Another major mission of the week was to help students view reading as more than just an assignment. “I hope it helps students understand that they can find any type of book. It’s not just an assignment, it’s a story that they can look at and get involved and engaged with,” said English teacher Mr. Hawthorne. The week not only celebrated books, but also strengthened the connection between students and literacy.
From dressing in red, white, and blue to cozy winter outfits, spirit days made reading fun and interactive for students. “Literacy Week helped me because my teacher would dress up as different characters from books, and it made me interested in those books. It was really cool to see different characters come out,” said senior Johnathan Wu. By having school spirit and school engagement, Literacy Week reminded our students that reading can be powerful.
