Celebrating Parkridge Elementary’s “Real Men Read” Initiative

Submitted by “Nunnie” Robinson and Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

   For the third consecutive year, Parkridge Elementary in Deerfield, partnered with  community leaders and stakeholders to sponsor a literacy program centered around reading, perhaps the most important, significant and impactful element in early childhood education. “Real Men Read “ is a collaborative initiative promulgated by the visionary, astute leadership of Parkridge Elementary principal , Mrs. Samantha Whitehead, her administrative staff and the devoted, dedicated Parkridge teachers. Program coordinators Amanda Heichen and Jamessana Nero proffered the following insight about the program’s merit: Stakeholders and 32 men volunteered their time to read to our students and ignite their love for reading, showing our students that they are all stars. This program allows our scholars to engage with male role models, including community leaders, spiritual leaders, fraternity members, police officers, firefighters, and parents of our teachers and scholars. At the end of the day, every child went home with a brand-new copy of the book read aloud to the class.”

  The volunteers from across the spectrum give of their time and talents to ensure the success and continuity of this program, designed to encourage, inspire and instill in our youth the importance and joy inherent in reading. Volunteers are absolutely essential to the program’s success. According to Principal Whitehead, “ ‘Real Men Read’ is an exceptional event that not only fosters a passion for literacy but also cultivates a presence of positive male role models within our schools. This annual initiative provides our scholars with the in-valuable opportunity to witness successful males from their community who reinforce the importance of literacy as a fundamental pathway to success.”

After security protocols were followed, the volunteers were greeted by wonderful ambassadors of Parkridge who introduced themselves, then escorted each reader to the library where greetings were ex-pressed by Deerfield Beach Commissioner Ben Preston, Mr. Mike Obel, Executive Director of Community Based Connections and Mrs. Sharonda Bailey, Director of Headstart, Early Intervention  Broward Schools representative for the  Schools, Family and Community Engagement  Department (FACE) and Principal Whitehead.

Following a scrumptious breakfast prepared by Boho’s and Mr. Anthony Black, parent volunteer, Parkridge ambassadors escorted each volunteer to previously assigned designated class-rooms for introductions and the actual reading and discussion of books, chosen according to grade level, i.e., Pre-K -, Acoustic Rooster; Kindergarten – 2nd, The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon; and in my group a book titled, Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table,  centered around one man’s vision for feeding the world. I was personally assigned to Mrs. Hunt’s fourth grade class where my very intelligent, inquisitive and often loquacious neice, Neva’eh Henry-Wells, is a student. However, on this particular day she seemed reserved but quietly engaged. And I can’t thank the students in Mrs. Hunt’s class enough for making my day because of their attention, involvement and response to the lesson. If we allow these young people to flourish and develop, our nation will be just fine. Thanks for the experience of a lifetime.