March 12, 2003
March 12, 2003
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today celebrated March is Reading Month by reading "The Paper Bag Princess," by Michael Martchenko, to kindergartners and first graders at Bingham Elementary in Lansing. Granholm used the visit to highlight her education priorities, including reading to young children and ensuring that schools receive full funding in the upcoming fiscal year.
Granholm also announced that a copy of the official children's book of Michigan, "The Legend of Sleeping Bear," will be donated to each public elementary school and library in Michigan by the Granholm Inaugural Committee. The books were given to children who attended inaugural events in December and January. The extra copies of the books were mailed to schools and libraries this week, with the postage being donated by the Inaugural Committee in honor of March is Reading Month activities.
"My top priority as Governor is to make sure Michigan's children have the world opened up to them by learning how to read," Granholm said. "A rock-solid education with a firm foundation of reading skills will give our children access to every opportunity in life to succeed. Every month in Michigan should be Reading Month, not just March."
Granholm said her budget priorities highlighted during last week's budget presentation underscore the importance of education.
"During very trying economic times, we were able to restore the education foundation grant after being forced by law to cut it this year," Granholm said.
"Michigan's schools are at the heart of our future as a state. We can't afford not to support them."
"In my State of the State address, I called on parents and educators to emphasize the importance of reading to children from age zero," Granholm said. "Reading provides the basic skill everyone needs to succeed in life and in the workplace. It is essential that, as a state, we focus on developing our children's reading skills so they stay motivated to learn and become a part of our state's success story."
