JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Today is Wyoming Reads Day! First graders across the state each receive their own book and, in many cases, guest readers are invited to read to students.
John Jorgensen established the Sue Jorgensen Library Foundation and the Wyoming Reads celebration to honor his late wife’s commitment to literacy and books. Since its inception in 1996, Wyoming Reads has grown beyond just Casper and Natrona County to supply books to first graders in all of Wyoming’s 23 counties, as well as several other states, including Oregon and Minnesota. Over 100,000 children have received books through the combined literacy celebrations, reaching nearly 7,500 first graders in 2019 alone.
COVID has put a damper on the in-class celebrations but this year, things are loosening up a little. In Teton County, first graders in the public school system, as well as local private schools, are being treated to guest readings via YouTube by Teton County School District #1 superintendent Dr. Gillian Chapman and school board trustee Betsy Carlin.
Watch TCSD#1 superintendent Gillian Chapman read her favorite children’s book.
