Approximately 2,500 Jamestown Public Schools elementary students and middle school students at Jefferson Middle School will bring home a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and begin reading it with their families and classes on Monday, May 12.

Approximately 2,500 Jamestown Public Schools elementary students and middle school students at Jefferson Middle School will bring home a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and begin reading it with their families and classes.

Books were sent home Monday.

For the fourth straight year, JPS will take part in a unique, national family literacy program called One District, One Book, made possible by the non-profit Read to Them. The initiative is designed to strengthen the educational connection between home and school by having families across the district read the same book at the same time.

Staff and families from all five JPS elementary schools and the fifth grade team at Jefferson Middle School helped select Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the beloved Roald Dahl classic that follows the adventures of Charlie Bucket as he visits the whimsical and mysterious chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka. Each school nominated titles that were available in both English and Spanish, and all staff and families then voted from the list of finalists.

“One of the most valuable gifts families can give is spending time reading together,” said Kate Benson, principal of C.V. Bush Elementary School. “Reading out loud is important because it enhances fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Reading together strengthens bonds, builds confidence, and promotes social emotional development. Our schools and community are united as a result of this annual program when we read one book together and give back to our community through various outreach connected to the theme of the book. We aim to see every child learning every day, and we look forward to seeing the learning that will take place as we read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory together.”

In school, students will experience dynamic assemblies, answer trivia questions, and engage in creative extension activities centered around the book’s themes of kindness, imagination, and integrity.

Outside of school, the district will host a special screening of the 1971 film adaptation “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” starring Gene Wilder at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on June 13. The screening will only be open to participating students and families and details will be announced by each school. Schools are also doing a variety of different outreach opportunities, with some staff volunteering at St. Susan Center and others collecting canned foods and donations to donate to local pantries and outreach organizations.

A reading schedule was provided to students. Recordings by special guest readers will be made available on the Jamestown Public Schools Facebook page throughout the month.