Salute to RIF' inspires kids to read

By JOANNE BYRON

I am responding to the editorial on Nov. 8 ("Learning is fundamental") concerning A Salute to Reading Is Fundamental. Having been a guest reader and former Newton elementary teacher, I know firsthand how children react to guest readers. It is a very special moment.

The read-aloud program, which brings individuals from the local community into the schools to read, has proven to be highly productive and inspirational to children not only in New Bedford but throughout the country.

An example of the impact that it has had in New Bedford was previously published by The Standard-Times. Fourth-graders at George H. Dunbar Elementary School wrote to me about their experience with the Reading Is Fundamental program and its volunteer readers, who took free books to their class to encourage students to read more at home.

The paper printed excerpts on July 16, 2005. The headline was, "Students rejoice in a book of one's own" and included the following headlines for the children's letters: "I love chapter books," "Books educate our minds," "Books will help me be a doctor," "I read the book that night," "Reading helps us learn better," and "Wish we could get more books."

Yet this same newspaper recently attacked me and RIF by saying, "If Byron is serious about the importance of reading, then she would do well to turn her attention to encouraging parents to read to their children and to help get more books in the hands of young readers at home."

You also said that Superintendent Portia Bonner had the courage to call me on it, and the real purpose seemed to be more about reaping publicity than about improving children's reading. If Bonner knew anything about me, she would realize that I do not need local publicity.

Since 1990, we have been providing books for New Bedford, long before the Kiwanis Club became involved. As a result of our grants, New Bedford teachers were made aware of multi-cultural literature and also received free books for each child in their classrooms.

Children do care about meeting political or business leaders, but it can be inspiring to have someone like Congressman Barney Frank read to children.

I saw firsthand how it changed the lives of my students. Reading became very important to them; enthusiasm and interest in school, as a whole, became important to them. That certain special person can make a difference in a child's future. The children perceive reading as important when someone special takes the time to read to them.

Our objective is to provide as many New Bedford and other Massachusetts schoolchildren as possible with the experience of having a role model read to them. Role models are not always celebrities.

I do not believe that Bonner deserves credit for ending "A Salute to RIF" in the New Bedford schools. She might have stopped this program in the public New Bedford school system, but throughout New Bedford's other schools, RIF continues to have guest readers in the classrooms.

In fact, throughout the SouthCoast and in other sections of Massachusetts, RIF programs continue with much enthusiasm and success.

Perhaps Bonner needs to spend more time in classrooms. Had she accepted our invitation to read at the Gomes School last year, she might have had a different perspective and better understanding of what takes place.

Years of promoting reading in New Bedford is correct. Using the format as was described was not correct.

When the late City Councilor Leo Pimental passed away in 2007, it was the first year RIF used a new format, and that was to honor him. Pimental was a committed public servant dedicated to improving the education of New Bedford's schoolchildren and a loyal defender of RIF programs.

He was intent on increasing RIF from five to include all 22 elementary schools as a part of the RIF program. Using our new format, we introduced our guest readers at a school assembly. A few were asked to speak about the importance of reading. After the short talk, each invited guest went into a classroom to read. This was a special moment for the reader and the students.

Bonner said that there was no instructional content; she is wrong. Local role models, community guest readers, bring energy, flair and imagination to these classrooms. Kids need motivation. Instruction alone does not make a skilled reader. Children need to discover the joy and importance of reading.

We are disappointed that Bonner does not understand that this program promotes positive attitudes toward reading and the love of books, yet we offer our appreciation to all our local communities and so many community role models who read and who include Mayor Scott W. Lang, a long supporter of the RIF program, even before he was elected mayor. He has read in all 22 elementary schools.