Book Readers Look on With Pride as Students Take Next Step in Education

MIAMI – As summer approaches, many schools are holding graduations. But for staff of the Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section (LEC/COS) of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, two recent graduations were particularly special.

LEC/COS staff regularly hold monthly readings for pre-kindergarten students in an effort to develop in them a love of reading. And children from two of the reading program’s mainstay schools—Paul L. Dunbar K-8 Center in Miami and Trinity Christian Academy in Miami Gardens—have moved on … to kindergarten.

The students looked so excited on stage, hugging and high fiving one another as family members applauded and yelled words of encouragement. The elegantly dressed 4 and 5-year-olds beamed with pride.

“It’s tough to see them move on,” said Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Mark McKinney. “You read to them many times during the year and develop a certain relationship. I’m proud of them for taking the next step in their education, but I am going to miss them.”

Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Darcey Lindsley can relate.

“I have attended many graduations over the years and it’s always bittersweet,” she said. “We try to attend their graduation ceremonies to show our support and have one last group hug with them. It’s a special moment.”

In addition to the hug, Lindsley had a final message for the young students.

“Do you know what you have to do over the summer?” she asked to a group of future Dunbar K-8 Center kindergartners. “Read! Promise me, okay? I want you to continue to work on your reading skills so you’ll have good momentum heading into next school year.”

According to national literacy data, approximately 25 percent of children in America grow up without learning how to read. Also, upward of 80 percent of preschool programs in low-income neighborhoods lack age-appropriate books for their students. To help combat this, LEC/COS staff provide books for children to take with them to build up their home libraries. 

“Reading is crucial to a child’s educational development and future success,” said LEC/COS Chief J.D. Smith. “We’ve seen the data. We know how important it is to get children interested in reading at a young age. If we can help a parent or teacher reinforce the importance of reading, we are glad to do it.”

Smith and staff have done these readings for about seven years and soon will have a fresh group of pre-K students to hear how difficult it is to catch that gingerbread man.

Anyone interested in donating children’s books may do so by emailing U.S. Attorney’s Office staff at usafls.vrp@usdoj.gov or by calling (305) 961-9134.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

Parents, family members, and a whole bunch of balloons filled the auditoriums of two graduating pre-K classes at local South Florida schools. The students in these classes were part of a reading program put on by the Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

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