Rockingham County Public Schools is pleased to announce a partnership with Lakeside Book Company, North America's leading book manufacturing and distribution company, in which the company is extending its support to students in our community. The employees of Lakeside Book will volunteer their time and contribute books for use in our schools. This collaboration is part of Lakeside Book’s “Phones Down, Books Up” program, which aims to enhance literacy efforts and community engagement among elementary school students.
On March 4th, 30 Lakeside Book Company employees will visit 15 local elementary school classrooms and read to students. The schools will benefit from the donation of 1,000 books collected during recent book drives as part of the “Phones Down, Books Up” program. The addition of new books furthers the program’s goal to encourage students to actively choose reading as a digital-free, enriching activity.
“Rockingham County Public School District is excited to have Lakeside Book Company support our core values to promote the benefits of reading and encouraging students to enjoy the adventures that books offer,” said Doug Alderfer, Assistant Superintendent of Leadership and Academic Support. “When Justin Harpine, Print Production Account Specialist at Lakeside Book, approached me last year with the idea for the “Phones Down, Books Up” program, I knew it was a great opportunity to lay a foundation to build a lifelong love of reading for our students and expand access to books within the school environment.”
The volunteer reading sessions and book donations align with the district’s focus on creating engaging reading environments that encourage students to fill free moments during the school day with reading. James Rahn, Vice President of Operations at Lakeside Book’s Harrisonburg Plant, said "We are honored to partner with Rockingham County Public Schools to help the community. These students are the next generation of readers, and their teachers work so hard to motivate them. Books are our passion at Lakeside Book, and we’re happy to help support the learning journey and encourage students to develop a love of books.”