2021 Cherry Creek Reads!

Across the Cherry Creek School District, students and teachers, parents and families, staff and community members are getting ready for “Cherry Creek Reads 2021,” a districtwide celebration of reading, coming up March 8-12.

Reading – whether for pleasure, or for a purpose, like school or work – has many benefits. It’s no surprise that reading increases comprehension and vocabulary. In fact, children learn 4,000 to 12,000 new words every year through reading. Research has also shown that reading can increase empathy, ease depression, reduce stress and improve sleep!

The theme for 2021's Cherry Creek Reads Week is “Read Together, Share Our Stories Together!” The theme is based on the inspirational book Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal. It’s a heartfelt story about a little girl who deepens her understanding of her own identity and her own story by learning about the power behind her name.

“Just like Alma in the book, students, parents and families are encouraged to think about their own name stories and ask questions like, What does your name mean? What does your name stand for?  What do you want to be known for?” said Karen Connors, teacher librarian from High Plains. "It's a great opportunity to reflect on our own identities and connect with one another through our names."

During Cherry Creek Reads Week, Greenwood Elementary students will participate in a variety of special activities, from student-created podcasts, videos or posters telling their own name stories, messaging a favorite author or illustrator, or schoolwide “Drop Everything and Read” time, just to name a few.

So grab a book and join us for Cherry Creek Reads 2021!