UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS) students in the Head Start program, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes participated in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation. On Oct. 4 students joined Jumpstart and nearly 250 Read for the Record events nationwide to set a new world reading record by reading “Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad” by David Soman and Jacky Davis.

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is an annual reading celebration that highlights the need for quality early education in America by mobilizing adults and children to set a record for the largest shared reading experience.

“Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is a call to action for everyone to recognize the importance of quality early education, especially for our most vulnerable children,” said Dr. Alvin Crawley, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “Every child can learn when provided with the proper environment and encouragement to achieve.”

Special guests joined students throughout the district to host the school reading events. Students at Tayac Academy were joined by  Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney. Columbia Park Elementary students were joined by Rushern Baker, County Executive of Prince George’s County. Students at High Bridge Elementary were joined by Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith from District 23 and G. Frederick Robinson, Mayor of Bowie.

In 2011, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record impacted 2.2 million individuals, raising awareness of the early education crisis and Jumpstart’s role in helping students in pre-school classrooms across the United States.Since the campaign’s inception in 2006, more than seven million people have joined local Jumpstart’s Read for the Record reading celebrations.