Belleview Elementary School spent the week constructing something even more valuable than buildings—bright futures—during its fun-filled Literacy Week. With the theme Building Literacy: Constructing the Foundation for Success, students, families, and community members came together for a series of engaging activities that highlighted the power of reading in every career.
A major highlight was the Guest Readers Event, where Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano and Belleview Mayor Christine Dobkowski joined students to share stories and inspire young minds. Their presence, along with many other community members, reinforced the message that literacy is the foundation for success in any profession.
On Career Dress-Up Day, students donned outfits representing their dream jobs, from doctors to firefighters to engineers—each role connected by the common thread of reading. The week wrapped up with Drop Everything and Read with Families, where parents visited classrooms, enjoyed books with their children, and even took an Accelerated Reader test together.
Belleview Elementary’s Literacy Week wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of its passionate staff: Principal Victoria Thomas, Assistant Principal Ed Helfrey, Literacy Content Area Specialist Wendy Earnest, Media Specialist Melinda Boatright, and Family Engagement Liaison Tiffany Alexander. Their commitment to fostering a love for reading helped unite students, families, and the community in a shared mission: building a stronger foundation for literacy, one page at a time.
