First Lady Crissy Haslam Participates in a Record-Breaking Read-In

Event at Karns Elementary School in Knoxville to help create excitement for reading

NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam participated in Karns Elementary School’s record-breaking read-in today to emphasize the importance of reading. Mrs. Haslam joined special guests from the community and more than 1,300 Karns Elementary students and teachers to help break Universal Record Database’s record for the largest audience in attendance at a children's storybook reading.
 
“It is important to keep students enthusiastic about reading, because literacy is the foundation for academic success,” Mrs. Haslam said. “Today's event is a great example of ways schools and communities can come together to highlight the importance of reading.”The record-breaking read-in was sponsored by East Tennessee PBS, WATE-6, and the Children’s Reading Foundation of Knox County, a non-profit organization that manages a promotional campaign educating, encouraging and empowering parents, grandparents and caregivers to read with their children. Karns Elementary students enjoyed stories read by WATE newscasters Lori Tucker and Matt Hinkin and recited a school-wide reading creed. Mrs. Haslam spoke about the importance of reading and encouraged students to participate in her Read20 Family Book Club, a program launched in June 2012 to promote early literacy and parental engagement in children’s academic lives.
 
“The Read20 Family Book Club is another activity to keep students engaged in reading. We feature a new book each month and provide fun family activities that coincide with each Book of the Month,” said Mrs. Haslam. “Reading together as a family is one of the most important things that parents can do to help their child be successful in school and in life.”

For more information about the Read20 Family Book Club visit www.tn.gov/read20, www.facebook.com/CrissyHaslam, follow @Read20TN on Twitter, or go to your local public library.