Saginaw ISD - Serve - Innovate - Empower

March is nationally designated as “March is Reading Month.” To celebrate, over twenty employers in Saginaw County have committed to giving time for reading to elementary school children. Heather Phelps, Saginaw Intermediate School District’s Director of Instruction, describes reading aloud as “a valuable tool with exponential possibilities for expanding children’s knowledge.” Thanks to a collaboration between Saginaw Intermediate School District’s Career and Technical Education and Instructional Services Departments, community readers will be sharing books that pertain to careers focused on developing critical career awareness at a young age.

“Learning about what people do in their communities helps students develop an awareness of the world around them,” said Jenny Geno, Saginaw ISD Executive Director of Career and Technical Education. She added, “Career awareness activities help children think about their strengths, what they enjoy doing, and the different kinds of jobs that exist. This helps them begin to form an awareness of what type of career they may wish to have when they get older. These skills are foundational to the development of important decision-making skills. The more experiences we can provide to children of all ages, the more suited they may be to make informed career decisions later in their lives.”

To date, reading participants include representatives from the following businesses and organizations: Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw Intermediate School District, Sarah Fechter Fitness, Pit & Balcony Theatre, Saginaw Art Museum, Great Lakes Bay Manufacturing Association members, Temple Theatre, Renue Physical Therapy, Saginaw County Government, Nexteer Automotive, Associated Builders & Contractors, Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department, Amigo Mobility, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, Bavarian Inn Lodge, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, R.C. Hendrick & Son, Inc, Therapeutic Hope LLC, Fullerton Tool Company, Public Libraries of Saginaw, SVRC Industries, and Isabella Bank. Additionally, special guest Representative Amos O’Neal will also be reading to students!

Interested individuals that wish to participate may contact Dennis Barlow, 989-399-6150, dbarlow@sisd.cc or Tia Hahn, 989-714-4105, thahn@sisd.cc.