Dr.
Robert B. lngram Rewards Readers.
On
Wednesday, February 6th, 39 students accompanied by 6
chaperones joined an august group of students to have
embarked on a 2-day, I-night History tour of St. Augustine
and Universal Studios, FL. Designed as an incentive for
establishing positive reading habits in students, the
read to lead tour was launched on May 1st, 2001 by Miami-Dade
County School Board Member Dr. Robert B. lngram as part
of his "Read to Lead" initiative for district
1 schools. Ever since, the “Read to Lead” tour
has become a district “rites of passage” for
its pupils. Most students in the program attests that
it is their first opportunity out of their immediate vicinity,
while all affirm it as their first to St. Augustine, the
oldest City in the country. “The action of Ms. Debbie
Gator, one of our parents who drove all the way to St.
Augustine to drop off her granddaughter who was unable
to join the group at departure, was a symbolic statement
that singularly affirmed the significance of this endeavor
to our youngsters. May these adventures awaken each child
and spark an interest in learning and a life-long reading
habit," said Dr. lngram.
At
4:00 a.m. Wednesday February 6th, 2002 student representatives
from Golden Glades, Norland and Westview Lake elementary
schools were greeted to a Bon Voyage celebration at Golden
Glades Elementary School by program sponsor Dr. lngram
accompanied by parents.
Once
on the bus, the fun and learning began. Students got hands
on experience making candles, using ropes, using a colonial
pump drill, an old corn mill and playing old time games,
while at the same time learning the history of Florida.
At St. Augustine, they visited the Old Florida Museum,
and were privileged to a reenactment of “the emancipation
proclamation”. Before leaving St. Augustine, they
had a tour of the historic city of Lincolnville and had
a preview of the exhibit at Ft. Mose, the oldest African
American community in the United States.
During
the student’s travel they were required to write
in a journal the events that they experienced and at night
at a hotel where their learning was reinforced through
inter group sharing.
"Reading
enlarges one's world and creates a vision for those who
may not have one" said Dr. lngram.
For
more information, contact Dr. Ingram's Office at 305-995-1334.
