Agriculture Secretary Hance Reads to Third Graders at Mutual Elementary School

Agriculture Secretary Hance Reads to Third Graders at Mutual Elementary School Promotes ‘A Read Across Maryland’ Reading Campaign

PORT REPUBLIC, MD (March 23, 2010) – Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance today read to third graders at Mutual Elementary School in Port Republic, as part of March “Read Across Maryland” month.  A Calvert County farmer, Secretary Hance selected Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola, which is a delightful story that teaches how to care for the environment and grow a “perfect” garden.

“I’m happy to be here today with the third grade students from Mutual Elementary School and to share my passion for agriculture and the environment with them,” said Secretary Hance. “The ‘Read Across Maryland’ campaign encourages children to read and learn not just this month, but all year long.  Working together with educators, our public libraries, and families across Maryland, we can prepare the future leaders of Maryland to live and learn with excitement.  I encourage every family to take up Governor O’Malley’s challenge and read with their children for at least 30 minutes every day in March and to develop the habit of reading.”

“We share Secretary Hance’s passion and enthusiasm for reading and welcome him to our school,” said Lisa Wisniewski, Mutual Elementary principal. “We embrace the importance of reading across settings in the lives of our students and Mutual community.”

In partnership with the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), “Read Across Maryland” seeks to encourage and develop strong reading habits in students across the state.  The Governor, First Lady and members of the cabinet are joining MSEA leaders for classroom visits and reading assemblies at select schools across the state during the month of March.

“Read Across Maryland” was inspired by the “Read Across America” program run by the National Education Association, which calls for every child around the country to celebrate reading on March 2nd, the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.  Throughout March, Maryland’s public school students have been treated to readings by community leaders, elected officials, published authors and educators to promote daily reading.  This year, the program has expanded to include a partnership with the Maryland Library Association, with a theme of “30 for 30,” a challenge to parents, teachers, and students to read 30 minutes every day for 30 days for the month of March.

For the second year in a row, Education Week, the nation’s leading education newspaper, ranked Maryland #1 among public school systems across the nation.  Since the O’Malley-Brown Administration took office, State funding for local school systems has increased $1.2 billion, or 27%, while increasing general fund support for K-12 education by almost $400 million. The O’Malley-Brown Administration has made a record $5.7 billion investment in our public schools over the last four years.  Even in difficult times, Governor O’Malley’s FY 2011 budget supports the progress of Maryland’s children, teachers, and parents in the nation’s #1 ranked public school system.  The FY 2011 budget fully funds the Geographic Cost of Education Index to address regional differences in educational costs; includes a $92.4 million or 12% increase in teacher and librarian pensions, bringing the total to $866.7 million; nearly doubles the State’s investment in school construction and renovations, providing over $1.2 billion in four years; and increases public education funding by $189 million.
For more information on Read Across Maryland, visit www.readacrossmaryland.org.

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