Caroline County launches countywide "Caroline Reads" literacy campaign with grant support
Summary
Caroline County Public Schools unveiled 'Caroline Reads,' a yearlong 2026 literacy campaign funded in part by All In Virginia Literacy Act grant money, featuring book-cruiser stops, adult book clubs, a Main Street kickoff, summer programs and student publishing projects to expand access and community engagement.
Caroline County Public Schools on Monday detailed a countywide literacy initiative called "Caroline Reads," aimed at increasing book ownership, family engagement and equitable reading access across the division.
Superintendent Sarah Calvarick introduced the campaign during the school board's December meeting, saying the program grew from division post-pandemic literacy data and the state’s Virginia Literacy Act implementation. Calvarick said the campaign’s priorities are to foster a culture of reading, build community connections and improve access and equity in reading opportunities.
Consultant Kristen Hildam outlined planned activities that will run through 2026: a "book cruiser" that staged holiday book stops where caregivers selected two new books per CCPS student household; three rounds of adult book clubs (winter, summer, fall) offered in-person and virtually; a Main Street kickoff event in February with story walks and business partnerships; a reading incentive charity challenge in February–March; a summer reading program in June–July; and school-year projects including student-authored books and project-based learning tied to common texts.
Calvarick told the board that the campaign is partly funded by the All In Virginia Literacy Act grant and that staff are working with faith-based and nonprofit partners to extend the work beyond the grant period. Early cruiser stops on Dec. 13 distributed roughly 300–350 books to about 150 families, Calvarick said; staff described those numbers as preliminary and said final tallies were pending.
Board members asked about the survey used to design programming; staff said the two-week survey was posted on Facebook and bundled with the FY26 budget outreach effort, producing strong parent and employee participation and smaller responses from students and the broader community. Calvarick said the division will share detailed response breakdowns and promised monthly updates as materials and schedules are finalized.
The campaign will include student leadership opportunities — students will help develop and operate a bookstore-cafe modeled after a Hampton Roads program — and plans to align school-level activities with community events. Calvarick said the intent is measurable outcomes (increased access and exposure, family engagement and student achievement) and a unified local reading culture.
The board did not take formal action on the campaign during the meeting; staff said the initiative will be implemented with existing grant funds and community partnerships and that further details will be provided as the program rolls out.
