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East Greenbush CSD to Promote ‘Unity in Community’ with Book Club

Feb 28, 2023 | Bell Top, Columbia, District, Genet, Goff, Green Meadow, Red Mill, Sutherland

Students, staff, parents and community members will be reading the book “The Elephant in the Room” by Holly Goldberg Sloan as part a community-wide book club starting Wednesday, March 1.

The East Greenbush Central School District will be promoting unity and celebrating diversity through a community-wide literacy initiative titled One District, One Community, One Book.  

Beginning on March 1 and running through April 5, students and adults alike, from all across the community, will be reading the book “The Elephant in the Room” by Holly Goldberg Sloan. All K-12 students, teachers, staff, families and community members are invited to participate.

This literacy initiative, which was developed by the district’s Committee to Promote Global Education, will act as a book club for the school district and beyond. There will be guest readers, class activities, book discussions, daily trivia, and special events to support this project.

The district will be providing free copies of the book to students and staff. Books have been purchased at a discounted rate and donations are being accepted from PTOs and other community organizations and businesses to help offset the costs.

Superintendent Jeff Simons said the rationale for the project is to unify the school and community through a love of reading after a challenging few years, which has included the pandemic, social and political strife, and other negative influences on children such as social media.

“Reading the same book throughout our schools and within the community promotes literacy, love for learning, unity and togetherness,” Mr. Simons said. “The themes of ‘The Elephant in the Room’ by Holly Goldberg Sloan provide just the right messages and aspirations for all of us at just the right time!”

The One District, One Community, One Book program officially begins on Wednesday with a district-wide PA announcement from Mr. Simons to all schools at 9:15 a.m.

Goals of One District, One Community, One Book

  • Encourage students, staff, families and community members to read the book and participate in school-sponsored activities.
  • Join book talks and discussion groups.
  • Celebrate diversity and inclusion through special events.
  • Bring our community closer together through a love of reading!

The Elephant in the Room book coverAbout “The Elephant in the Room”

“The Elephant in the Room“ by Holly Goldberg Sloan was selected for this community wide literacy initiative by the Committee to Promote Global Education with input from school and town librarians.

The book explores the importance of friendship, acceptance and the bravery we all must face when dealing with life’s changes. The main character is without her mother and through a counseling group and unlikely circumstances, leads to rescue an elephant where the community as a whole comes together proving that hope and friendships can occur in unlikely places.

Join Us!

Please consider this opportunity to promote unity, celebrate diversity, and to get involved with our school district!

If you are interested in participating in One District, One Community, One Book, please fill out our online interest form. You will also have the opportunity to sign up as a guest reader.

For more information, visit www.egcsd.org/onebook.