Read Across America emphasizes importance of of literacy for all
EDITORIAL -- FEATURE SPOT, Editorials, Opinion
 By  Staff Reports Published 
1:34 pm Thursday, March 4, 2021

Read Across America emphasizes importance of of literacy for all

If you’re on social media this week, you’ll likely come across photos of students in crazy hats, teachers promoting read-aloud times and a greater-than-usual occurrence of Dr. Seuss quotes and images.

Our local schools are observing the National Education Association’s Read Across America Week, and we want to salute their efforts to encourage literacy and a love for reading in Franklin County.

Nationally observed the first week of March, Read Across America Week is in full swing. Students not just in Franklin County but across the country are enjoying a renewed emphasis on the importance of reading in our everyday lives.

Think about it. Does a day pass when you aren’t reading?

Oh, we know you might not be picking up the latest bestseller every day or regularly leafing through a non-fiction favorite, but being able to read is a crucial cornerstone of a productive, fulfilling life. It’s a skill you use constantly – and so reflexively you usually don’t even think about it.

Grocery store labels, newspaper articles, street signs, warning notices, fliers, billboards, magazines, invitations, newsletters, text messages, tweets – they are all just waiting to be read.

We hope you will take this week, if not every week, to encourage a love of reading in your children – and in yourself.

Though it’s fun to dress up as a Dr. Seuss character and celebrate his birthday by rereading “The Cat in the Hat,” let this week be a reminder to us to put a focus on reading year round.

Also on Franklin County Times
Russellville to host MLK march on Monday
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 14, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Franklin County Martin Luther King Memorial Scholarship Committee is planning its annual commemoration march, which this year will ...
Career tech programs return to remodeled RHS building
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 14, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Students at Russellville High School returned from winter break last week to a newly remodeled and expanded Career Technical Education ...
Dowdy sentence delayed
Main, News, Russellville
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
January 14, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The sentencing of Brandy Dowdy will have to wait until another day after her defense attorney suffered a “medical emergency.” Dowdy’s s...
MLK march is about ‘keeping the dream alive’
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 14, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Rev. B.J. Bonner was 11 years old in the summer of 1963 when the civil rights movement reshaped the South and communities across Al...
FCREA finalizes 2025, looks ahead to 2026
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 14, 2026
There are moments in our meetings that stay with you long after the chairs are folded and the dishes are washed. One of those moments came in November...
This year, let’s resolve to be more involved
Columnists, Opinion
January 14, 2026
Stop eating desserts. Go to the gym every day. Read 50 books this year. Learn a language. Start my retirement savings. Every year we make our resoluti...
RHS track looks ahead to state meet
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 14, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville High School track athletes have posted multiple top 10 and top 20 section finishes this season, along with podium performa...
Vote of Red Bay budget delayed until February
News, Red Bay
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 14, 2026
RED BAY — City councilmembers will vote next month on the 20025–26 fiscal year budget. Mayor Mike Shewbart told the council last week the budget was n...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *