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Celebrating National Reading Month at Cyber Academy of South Carolina

Stories & Spotlights
students sitting on a bench, reading, with faces mostly covered by their books.

March marks National Reading Month, a time to celebrate the essential role reading plays in a child’s development. At Cyber Academy of South Carolina, we recognize that reading is much more than a fundamental academic skill. It is a gateway to discovery, imagination, and lifelong learning. As an online school, we are committed to fostering a love for reading that transcends the classroom and reaches into everyday life.

Why Reading Matters

Reading is foundational to student success. It enhances vocabulary, sharpens comprehension, and cultivates critical thinking skills that students will carry with them throughout their academic journeys. At Cyber Academy of South Carolina, we support students in discovering the joy of reading through personalized, engaging content that adapts to their unique learning styles.

Ways to Get Involved in National Reading Month

  • Set Reading Goals: We encourage students to set personal reading goals for the month. Whether it’s reading a specific number of books or exploring new genres, tracking progress fosters a sense of accomplishment.
  • Create a Reading Space: A dedicated, cozy space for reading can make all the difference. A comfortable environment can help foster a love for reading.
  • Read Aloud Together: Sharing stories as a family or class not only enhances reading comprehension but also creates lasting memories. Consider reading aloud as a fun and educational bonding activity.

A Message from Our Reading Coach, Mrs. Massey

“As a young girl, I grew up in the projects and books were not plentiful in my neighborhood, but I wanted some, actually . . . I wanted all of them. It was about four miles to the library where I lived outside of Pittsburgh. We did not have a car, we could not afford a taxi, so my mum bundled us all up and we walked. My mum knew that I was inquisitive and wanted to know more than she had time to tell me. We had seven people in the family and my mum was a busy stay-at-home mom. We finally got to the library after almost two hours. It was worth it!!  When we walked in that big stone building and I saw all those books, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I got my first library card at the big desk in front of the Carnegie-Mellon Library. When the librarian realized how excited I was, she took me for a private tour and showed me everything. I was so happy. There were books galore as far as the eye could see and as high as you could see with big moving ladders to find a book far up high. We went to listen to the librarian read a book aloud just like my kindergarten teacher Ms. Zahorsky did. I was addicted! I was also very shocked when the librarian told us that they had a lending policy of two books per person, but when she found out we walked there and what a hardship it was on my mum, we were allowed to each check out 5 whole books!!  I checked out every single book they had about Martin Luther King Jr. during the future years of going back and forth to that library. After I was done with MLK Jr. I moved on to my next hero. I was so addicted to books. They helped me escape my surroundings and learn things I could only dream about at that time. My mom said that my future was right there in those books and all I had to do was read them and I would find it. I never stopped reading them. I am still a fanatic about reading. I also was a fanatic about words. My parents gave me my very own dictionary when I was five. This may seem strange to students nowadays but understand that I was five years old in 1974 and back then a dictionary was an expensive item. It was even more expensive because there were seven mouths to feed, and books were not food that you could eat. 🙂 My dictionary was one of my prized possessions. My mum would let me cut the empty cereal boxes up and I would turn them around and make them flash cards. I wrote five words and definitions to memorize every single day from that dictionary and I started at A and never finished the last word of Z until I was 22 years old. I still have it. I value it. So, I could not imagine my life without words and without books. I love reading because reading has made me the me of my future and if you read, you can find yours!”

– Mrs. Massey, CASC Reading Coach

What We Believe

At Cyber Academy of South Carolina, we believe in the transformative power of reading. It helps to build the foundation for academic achievement, personal growth, and curiosity that lasts a lifetime. Whether it’s reading for fun or tackling complex topics, National Reading Month reminds us of the joy and significance of the written word.

Let’s Keep the Love of Reading Going

As we celebrate National Reading Month, we encourage students, families, and educators to continue fostering a love for reading long after March ends. Together, we can inspire a lifelong passion for books and learning. Let’s keep the conversation going and continue inspiring each other to read and grow! If you’re looking for a school that fosters a passion for learning, explore enrollment opportunities for the 2025-2026 school year by visiting our website. 

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