Rashad Jones, National Pitmaster Erika Skula, AdventHealth Ocala CEO
Dr. Adetayo Lawal, Resident Orthopaedic, HCA Ocala Michelle Cino, MCPS Principal of the Year
Mike Mills, Local Business Owner Ben Marciano, Mayor of Ocala
Dr. Jim Henningsen, President of CF MCFR Chief Banta
Collins Sheldon, MCPS Student Scientist
This year we launch yet another exciting phase of promoting literacy throughout Marion County and allowing students to learn more about how important literacy skills are in the careers of so
many business leaders and community members.
This year we are producing videos spotlighting 10 community members speaking about the importance of literacy in their career. We want all
students to hear the stories about just how important literacy is in their career and which literacy skills have allowed them to achieve their dreams.
Marion County Public Schools values the importance of these important community partnerships to help all students reach their highest level of academic success while ensuring students have the
ability to read, write, and speak in a way that allows them to communicate effectively all of their ideas that will change the world! We are so excited to have the opportunity to inspire thousands of students with these literacy stories. Each video is provided to each school principal to share with their students. These videos often become part of school morning shows/announcements and are further shared with students, parents, and school team members. Part of this year’s campaign is also an essay contest. Stay tuned for announcements about winning entries.
In 2021 “Launching Literacy in the Community” was started to promote the importance of literacy throughout Marion County Public Schools. A website was created to
promote and support family and community engagement while connecting standards-based literacy lessons in the elementary classroom with activities and conversations beyond the school day.
(https://marionschools.instructure.com/courses/81632).
Marion County Schools also proudly partnered with local barbershops and hair stylists to provide reading opportunities to students while they are getting a haircut.
There were family reading nights at Barnes & Noble and menus that promoted literacy distributed to
restaurants throughout Marion County.
For more information on this year's Student Essay Contest, click here.
For the rubrics of this year's Student Essay Content, click here.