GREAT BEND -Read To Them is a non-profit organization promoting family literacy.

USD 428 took a program from Read To Them titled “One District, One Book” where everyone in the community reads and supports the reading of the same book over the course of a month.

“The World According to Humphrey” became a huge hit in Great Bend with community members and businesses getting involved with the book.

USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed said the district is the first in Kansas to do this and the community being recognized for their implementation of the reading initiative

Reed will speak on the success of the program at the National Superintendents Conference in Phoenix February 11–13.

Reed says the reading initiative is even being considered on a statewide level where the entire state of Kansas would read the same book with activities planned and community support.

“The national superintendents association has just entered into a business relationship with Read to Them,” said Reed. “They are becoming a national sponsor of the program and it’s really beginning to pick up steam across the country.”

A committee has met and selected the next book to be read throughout the Great Bend school district for next year.

Study groups plan to meet this week to organize activities to go along with the theme of the book.