On Thursday, First Lady Cecile de Jongh participated in the national Read for the Record literacy campaign, joining approximately two million readers nationwide in showing support for early learning. Mrs. de Jongh read Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney to students at Lockhart Elementary School on St. Thomas. 

“Every year the Territory participates in the Read for the Record initiative, linking classrooms and families throughout the nation in acknowledging the critical role of reading and early education in children’s healthy development. It was a pleasure spending time with the students today, and I congratulate all participants of this year’s effort,” she said.

Mrs. Cheryl Francis, wife of Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis, also visited with students on Thursday to read Llama Llama Red Pajama at Claude O. Marko Elementary School on St. Croix, and Tourism Assistant Commissioner Monique Sibilly Hodge read to students at Joseph Sibilly Elementary School on St. Thomas.

The de Jongh/Francis Administration believes strongly in pursuing public policies that encourage reading and literacy, including early education initiatives, as a means of developing personal and academic success in later years. 

The first lady is chairperson of the governor’s Children and Families Council, an entity comprised of public, private, non-profit and faith-based members that is charged with recommending changes to improve the delivery of services and improving the welfare of the Territory’s children and families.