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Newburgh board launches "Portrait of a Graduate" reading initiative for second graders
Summary
The Newburgh City School District board approved a monthly series of board member read‑aloud visits to second‑grade classrooms beginning late January to support literacy and reinforce the district's portrait of a learner; staff will publish sign‑ups and selected books for educator approval.
Board President John DeRay announced a district reading initiative the board will carry out from late January through June aimed at strengthening second‑grade literacy and connecting the board more directly with classrooms. "Second grade ... it's when students are moving from learning to read to reading to learn," DeRay said, explaining the program will pair a selected book with a brief 2–3 minute classroom conversation about skills such as teamwork, resilience and innovation.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction (Elementary) Doctor O'Grady told trustees the books were chosen by educators to align with the district's "portrait of a learner" framework and that visits will be scheduled on a shared Google page open to all board members. DeRay said board members will make roughly 10 visits each month and that books and conversation prompts are selected to build vocabulary, listening and speaking skills.
Trustees discussed broadening the program to all elementary schools and connecting it to community efforts: board member Howard said student groups may visit local Head Start centers as a companion activity, and the administration indicated a potential launch around Read Across America Day. During public comment, community members urged extending invitations to parents, grandparents and neighborhood partners to participate in school read‑along events.
The initiative is framed as experimental for one school year with the possibility of continuation. Administrators will publish participation details and the sign‑up page for board members; classroom selections and timing will follow standard school‑day hours.
The board did not take a separate formal vote beyond approving the related agenda and consent items earlier in the meeting; the reading initiative was presented as a district program and scheduling plan.
