Hi! This is Heather from Campfire Curriculum with Helpful Heather. Would you like to have personalized assistance with your professional development? Do you wish that there were community events that were free for families of your students? Teachers are always looking for ways to expand their own knowledge and help their school/students! This post will open your eyes to all of the wonderful things that your local reading council offers and give you assistance and excitement for the new school year!
Your Local Reading Council
An Overview
Certain communities are fortunate enough to have a local reading council. I am a proud member of the Chesapeake Reading Council (CRC). The mission of CRC is to "promote literacy throughout our city". The Virginia State Reading Association (VSRA)
is a professional organization that has the same mission for the entire
state of Virginia. Our state association falls under the International Literacy Association (ILA),
formerly known as the International Reading Association. With
membership to my local reading council I automatically become a member
of the VSRA. I am also a member of the ILA. I urge you all to join
your city, state, and international association....... read to find out
why!
A Partnership With Your Public School System
Chesapeake
Public Schools has been an amazing supporter of CRC! Before the
official school year starts, our Superintendent, Dr. Roberts meets with
our Executive Board. The Board shares their ideas for the year and
shares the new calendar of events. Dr. Roberts shares his ideas and
assists in making CRC a strong partner of Chesapeake Public Schools.
Dr. Roberts is always one of the first official members every year!
![]() |
Dr. Roberts with the 2016-17 CRC Executive Board |
Dr.
Roberts also invites CRC to the yearly Administrator's Back-To-School
General Conference. The President of CRC addresses all of the
administrators in the city. The administrators lend their support by
becoming members, choosing CRC building representatives, and
participating in the CRC activities throughout the school year.
![]() |
Dr. Roberts with the CRC 2014-15 Executive Board at the Administrator's Back-To-School General Conference. Our first official t-shirts were being revealed that morning "Keep Calm and Read On!" |
Fun and Free Literacy-Based Nights For Your Students

Activities Through the School...... and More!

Honoring Those Who Make Epic Strides for Literacy City Wide!
Each
year CRC celebrates amazing dedication to literacy through numerous
awards. Each school chooses a Reading Teacher of the Year. From those
teachers a Reading Teacher is chosen to represent the entire city. This
past year Chesapeake's Reading Teacher of the Year went on to become
the Reading Teacher for the state of Virginia! Administrators are also
able to win the prestigious James D. Mullins Leadership Award.
Community Outreach
Chesapeake
Reading Council has a huge heart! Every year they participate in
community outreach events in their own community and beyond. CRC
participates in the Chesapeake Regional Hospital's Baby Fair. Books,
literacy based toys, and literature on "how to help your child read"
have been given away to hundreds of expectant and new mothers over the
years (left). Workshops were led by CRC Board Members at the Chesapeake
R U Ready Family night to help students with comprehension skills this
past year (top right). Once a year CRC reaches beyond their local
boarders and supports literacy in other countries. This past year
students in Haiti were given books to support their library. In the
2014-15 school year CRC gave backpacks and books to students in China
(bottom right).
End of the Year Celebrations!
Chesapeake
Reading Council also celebrates the great things that happen throughout
the year! Every year the Reading Teachers of the Year (RTOY) are
celebrated. This year a local author (Jen Milius) and
a speaker were invited to the event. RTOYs also shared their great
ideas, were invited to participate in a book exchange, and had yummy
food in their honor! We also have a yearly banquet where RTOYS and
Building Representatives (among others) are thanked and celebrated!
Chesapeake Reading Council's Great Year Ahead!
Our
new shirts are ready!!! They are inspired by the VSRA theme for the
2016-17 year "Literacy: The Root Of All Learning". I'm so excited to
be able to wear my shirt proudly!
So
much happens due to the hard work and dedication of the CRC Executive
Board, Committee Members, and volunteers! Take a look at the Calendar
of Events for this coming year! I'm so excited to participate in every
single event.
In
this post I have listed a few things that make CRC great but I couldn't
list them all. Please take a look at the Benefits of Membership
(below) to see the extent of what is available to CRC members.
What Will Make YOUR Reading Council Great This Year?
Tell
me about your reading council! Are you already a member? What
activities are your favorite? What events are up and coming? Do you
have questions? I know that many of blog followers and post readers are
already involved..... so share some ideas or events so that we can all
support them! Thank you! I can't wait to hear from you all!!!
Your blog and you yourself are a great source of learning for the teachers around the city. Its also helpful for me and my fellow teachers and we all are thankful for the good tips you give.
ReplyDelete