How many books could you read if you had a million minutes at your disposal? Wait, before you Google it, at least finish reading this article. It's a rhetorical question.
But, if you are seriously interested in an answer, Orange County's District 7 school district is about to find out the old-fashioned way - by reading their way to a million hours.
“Read Around The City” is a collaboration between Re-Imagine Communities, a local non-profit organization, OCPS, and the Apopka business community with the goal of having one million minutes of reading accomplished in OCPS District 7 between September 1st, 2023, and January 31st, 2024.
The launch took place on August 31st at Randall Academy in Apopka.
Apopka Commissioners Nick Nesta, Alexander Smith, and Diane Velazquez, along with Shaunte Jemison, executive director of Re-Imagine Communities, and Melissa Byrd, the Orange County School Board District 7 Member, were at the launch.
And all of them were excited to be a part of Read Around the City.
“I am excited about the partnership and support from OCPS Board Member Melissa Byrd, The City of Apopka, and area businesses as we continue to fight the literacy crisis in Florida," Jemison said. "We believe it will take a collaborative effort to ensure that our students are ready and equipped for the future.”
“I appreciate what Shaunte Jemison and Re-Imagine Communities are doing for our community creating student engagement with businesses and enhancing literacy," Nesta said.
“We hope to show kids, and everyone else, that reading is enjoyable," Byrd said. "A great message for students is that the community is coming together to support them.”
“This program will elevate the vision of young students and will potentially open future opportunities for them," Velazquez said.
Randall Academy is a partnership between Orange County Public School's School-to-Work program and Randall Construction Holdings, Inc., which provides an alternative approach to traditional high school.
Want to get involved? The great news is that everyone can participate. So dust off your library cards, hit the local bookstores, or start ordering your favorite novels on Amazon. It's time to read!
Another idea could be creating a competition among friends and colleagues. Are you a Book Club member? Then this will be a no brainer! Sign up your book club and designate one person to enter your minutes for the month!
Registration opened on Friday, SEPTEMBER 1st, 2023! So hurry up and get started. And get this... the time you spend reading The Apopka Voice counts toward Read Around the City hours!
Signing up is easy! Simply record what you’re reading and minutes read in the community app which launches on Sept. 1st, 2023! To register click here
Need Help or have a question about signing up? Click here
Learn more about becoming a business "Hot Spot" here!
Sponsors can donate towards a specific school or to District 7. Click here to become a sponsor!
Editor's Note: An earlier headline erroneously stated "How many books can you read in a million hours?". It has been corrected.
