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LAPLACE – St. Joan of Arc is continuing two exciting literacy initiatives to instill a lifelong love of reading within elementary and middle school students.

First grade students will be a part of Book Club this year. Elementary teacher Lacie Poche was able to get enough sponsors and donations from the community to buy every student in the class a copy of a new book each month. Book Club began this month with the first reading selection, “The Kissing Hand.” The story revolves around a mother raccoon who comforts her son when he is nervous to start school.

Seventh grade students will be part of a “Read Around the World” unit coordinated by ELA teacher Ryan Flynn. Through literature, the children will learn about different cultures and customs around the world. Students will complete research projects to bring the lessons to life while learning that the world is much bigger than St. John the Baptist Parish. While COVID-19 has changed how the program will operate this year, Flynn hopes to involve guest speakers who have firsthand experience with different cultures.

Academic assistant Emma Vicknair said students in first through seventh grade have individual goals and rewards for increasing their reading level. Students are encouraged to grow at their own pace, and each individual achievement is seen as a success.