News Summary
Georgia Reads Day, featuring former NFL player Malcolm Mitchell, aims to boost literacy in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. The event kickstarts Literacy Week with various activities promoting reading among students. Younger students will enjoy a livestream rally, while older ones participate in ‘Stop Drop and Read’. The week of events celebrates literacy achievements and includes family literacy nights, LitTalks, and workshops for parents. These initiatives reflect a strong commitment to elevating literacy standards and engaging the community in reading.
Savannah, GA – Georgia Reads Day, featuring former NFL player and Georgia football star Malcolm Mitchell, is set to take place on Monday, September 22. The event, which serves as a crucial kickoff for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System’s Literacy Week, aims to promote literacy among students across the district.
As a Georgia Reads Coach, Malcolm Mitchell has been advocating for literacy by sharing his own journey and organizing reading rallies for several years. This year’s rally will take place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta and will be streamed live for students in the Savannah-Chatham County schools. Younger students will be able to watch the rally via livestream, while older students will engage in “Stop Drop and Read” activities throughout the day.
The planned Literacy Week events will run from September 30 to October 4. This week-long initiative is designed to highlight the achievements of the district in literacy education. According to data from the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS), approximately 54% of the district’s 3-5 and 6-8 grade students are reading at grade level, a figure that underscores the importance of ongoing literacy initiatives.
Recent years have seen the Chatham Educational Alliance leading the organization of Literacy Week events, with national advocate Kareem Weaver featured as a major speaker for the past two years. In 2023, however, new engagement opportunities have been added, signaling an enhanced approach to literacy promotion.
As part of the Literacy Week activities, every school in the Savannah-Chatham County system will host a family literacy night, providing information on hands-on literacy activities and tips to help families engage their children in reading. Additional events include LitTalks, scheduled to occur from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 3, at the Alfred E. Beach High School Auditorium. Those interested in attending LitTalks must RSVP in advance.
On Saturday, October 4, Parent University will offer workshops aimed at helping parents become “literacy builders” at home. These workshops will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will include lunch and childcare, with no pre-registration required to attend.
Looking ahead, the United Way of the Coastal Empire will host an invite-only Readers Rise Summit on Thursday, October 9. This summit will bring together educators, caregivers, and community leaders to discuss strategies for improving literacy. Guest speakers at the summit will include Literacy Effectiveness Officer Cherie Goldman and Arianne Weldon, who will lead discussions on developmentally appropriate literacy practices for children from birth to age 5, as well as kindergarten readiness and the state of literacy in Georgia.
In addition to the emphasis on community engagement, the Savannah-Chatham County schools have taken significant steps to improve literacy education. Many K-5 teachers have completed an 18-month training in Lexia’s LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) to better support their students’ literacy development. These efforts reflect a commitment to ensuring that every student reads at or above grade level.
As the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System prepares for Georgia Reads Day and the upcoming Literacy Week, community involvement and focused literacy initiatives remain key to fostering a culture of reading. This commitment is vital in raising literacy rates and providing children with the tools necessary to succeed academically and beyond.
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Additional Resources
- SavannahNow: Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Literacy Week Events
- Wikipedia: Literacy
- Rough Draft Atlanta: Georgia Reads Day Event 2025
- Google Search: Literacy Initiatives in Georgia
- Americus Times-Recorder: A Magical Morning for Literacy
- Google Scholar: Literacy Education
- The Red & Black: Malcolm Mitchell Shares the Magic of Reading
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Literacy Rates
- SavannahNow: Georgia Reads Day Features Malcolm Mitchell
- Google News: Georgia Reads Day
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
