2005: Read To Achieve – Queen’s Park
June 24, 2008
March 10, 2005 — RAPTORS PROMOTE THE LOVE OF READING AT QUEEN?S
PARK… Jalen and some of his teammates visited Queen’s Park Thursday
to promote the values and virtues of reading through the Raptors’ Read
to Achieve program to the Grade 5 students of Vista Heights Public
School.
Joined by The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of
Ontario, Education Minister Gerard Kennedy and MPP Kathleen Wynne at
Queen’s Park, Raptors Assistant Coach Alex English and players Jalen
Rose, Matt Bonner, Milt Palacio and Aaron Williams talked to the
students about the importance of literacy and on-line learning.
As one of the team’s most popular community development programs,
Raptors Read to Achieve is responsible for inspiring tens of thousands
of students across Ontario to read regularly.
"Whether you’re an athlete or a politician – it’s important that we
take advantage of our role in the community to inspire and support the
next generation," said Raptors guard/forward Jalen Rose. "And
encouraging kids to read and develop a love of reading are the best
ways for them to get a head start in life."
The passion to drive literacy begins in Ontario’s highest office with
the Lieutenant Governor. In 2004, Mr. Bartleman led a province-wide
book drive to support school libraries that serve First Nations
communities in Northern Ontario, leading to the collection of more than
1.2 million books. While the Ontario government has made student
literacy, particularly among young males, a key mandate with the goal
of 75 per cent of 12-year old students achieving provincial standards
on province-wide testing in reading, writing and numeracy by 2008.
"In light of my own commitment to promoting literacy among aboriginal
youth, I am delighted to host this event to showcase the literacy
initiatives of the Toronto Raptors and Ontario Ministry of Education,"
said Mr. Bartleman. "I believe that literacy can open up new
opportunities and help young people reach their potential."
"Learning to love to read will give you the foundation to help reach
your goals," said Minister Kennedy. "Whether you aspire to be the
Lieutenant Governor or a famous athlete on the Raptors team, you need
to learn to read in order to succeed."
