Research has proven that children who are read to from a very early age are better prepared for attendance and achievement in school. In an effort to encourage this preparation, the “Read-to-Me” program was created in March 2002. Read-to-Me provides informational packets to parents containing brochures dealing with early childhood development and the importance of reading to children on a daily basis. The infants receive a letter from the Superintendent, a children’s book, a Read-to-Me logo t-shirt, numerous brochures and pamphlets about reading to children, nutrition, parenting and child safety, and a Learner’s Permit for Life-long learning.
Read-to-Me is funded by Pike County School’s Title I program under the parental involvement component. For the past 16 years the Title I program has distributed over 8,500 packets to infants at Pikeville Medical Center and Williamson ARH. We are still collaborating with PMC in serving infants with this wonderful educational beginning.