Martin County School Board proclaims Jan. 27–31 as Celebrate Literacy Week; community kickoff set Jan. 25

The Martin County School Board unanimously approved a proclamation declaring Jan. 27–31, 2025, as Celebrate Literacy Week and voiced support for the local Martin Reads initiative.

Kiana Kelly, of Martin Reads, presented the request and said the program’s mission is to grow “literate, compassionate, creative citizens” and outlined a community kickoff event set for Jan. 25 at the 10th Street Community Center from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required; Kelly said people can sign up through the group’s Facebook page or Eventbrite. Kelly also asked board members to record short social-media segments promoting reading in classrooms.

Board members discussed the timeline for adopting the proclamation and moved to enter it into the record; the motion passed without dissent. The proclamation affirms Martin Reads’ goal to increase literacy rates in the county to “90%, but no less than 70% by the year 2030,” and encourages community engagement and volunteer reading during Celebrate Literacy Week.

The board’s action follows a presentation from Jennifer Borges, the district’s K–12 science coordinator, who also announced the district’s Sunshine State Scholar representative and alternate. For volunteers interested in classroom reading events during Celebrate Literacy Week, the district advised contacting Kelly or visiting the Martin Reads registration page. The board will publish the formal proclamation in its official records.

What’s next: organizers will hold the Jan. 25 kickoff and the district will promote volunteer sign-ups for classroom reading events during the Jan. 27–31 literacy week.