Kudos to Brevard Public Schools for their support of Literacy Leadership Teams! Twice this year, in the fall and the spring, the district has provided a day for principals and their reading coaches to meet off campus (uninterrupted). As a team, they participate in professional learning communities with a book study using the book Literacy Leadership for Grades 5-12, collaborate in feeder chain meetings, and work on development of school-based Fail-Safe Literacy Plans.

On April 4, Superintendent Dr. Richard DiPatri addressed the group of over 180 principals and reading coaches, to stress the importance of literacy for all learning. Brenda Blackburn, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, reinforced this message. Dr. Walter Christy, Director of Secondary Programs, and Lynn Spadaccini, Director of Elementary Programs, facilitated learning communities focused on progress monitoring and data analysis.

This event, coordinated in large part by Reading Facilitators Debbie Wood and Patti Adams, and Reading First Coordinator Debbie Lyons, charged participants with enthusiasm. Principals and reading coaches returned to their schools focused on collaborating with their school-based literacy leadership teams. This type of focus at a district level sets the tone for schools. Again, kudos to Brevard Public Schools!