The second year of the Read the World Motivational Reading Program launched at Roberto Clemente Elementary School (formerly Clinton Elementary) on Feb. 19. Originally introduced at Clinton in January 2024, the program aims to enhance students' reading abilities, strengthen comprehension skills and ignite excitement for reading. This year, the program has expanded to include fourth-grade students from Warring Elementary School.

The Read the World program was inspired by a conversation between Sheba Abrahaim, program lead, and Bill Duke – a Poughkeepsie-born actor, director, humanitarian and author. In a prerecorded message, Duke welcomed Roberto Clemente and Warring Elementary students to the program, emphasizing its importance: “This program is important and essential to our children’s development.”

Last year, Clinton’s fifth-grade students read "Nic Blake and the Remarkable: The Manifestor Prophecy” by Angie Thomas. This year, both Roberto Clemente and Warring Elementary fourth-grade students will be reading "Amari and the Despicable Wonders," the third installment in B.B. Alston’s Supernatural Investigations series. Each participating student received a personal copy of the book, funded by the Poughkeepsie City School District to support home libraries and literacy development.

The book, Abrahaim said, is about “recapturing one’s power, teamwork and the positive impact special gifts can have on the world. We seek to encourage the children to embrace their power, embrace teamwork and encourage them to shine their light in this world.”

Modeled after last year’s successful format, students will:

• Be monitored for reading comprehension and take weekly quizzes.
• Have teachers assess their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Compete in a "Jeopardy"-style game, where the highest-scoring students will showcase their knowledge for a chance to win prizes.
• Engage in friendly competition between Roberto Clemente and Warring Elementary, culminating in a final "Jeopardy" showdown among top students.

Abrahaim said students are able to see the world differently through reading.

“The reading capabilities of the children who participated last year improved, along with their comprehension,” she said.

During what quickly became a high-energy kickoff, Dr. David Scott, principal of Roberto Clemente, and Nicole Penn, principal of Warring Elementary, energized their fourth-grade students, sparking excitement for the upcoming competition.

To close the event, Diamond Mima, a district parent, shared a powerful reminder as she highlighted how literacy is the foundation of lifelong learning and success: “Reading is not just for school.”

The program this year is supported by Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, Councilwoman Ondie James, Heritage Federal Credit Union, the City of Poughkeepsie PBA and Marist University.