Raymond J. Lockhart Elementary students in the Massapequa Public School District set a reading goal and joined with students from schools across the United States to break a record for the most readings of the classic children's book Corduroy. Sponsored by Jumpstart, the Read for the Record Program is a national campaign designed to raise public awareness about the significant disparities that exist in early education by breaking the record for the largest shared reading experience ever. "Many students don't have books like we do," explained Lockhart Principal Lori Dano to the first and second graders who gathered in the computer lab to participate in the event. "Through your reading efforts, Jumpstart will donate money to help those children who don't have books, to get books."

As part of the program, students were able to read Corduroy with actor LeVar Burton, who appeared larger than life on the SMARTBoard at the front of the room. Principal Dano and Assistant Principal Laura McConnell sat with the students and showed them a copy of the beloved children's classic as Burton read the story and pointed out the moral lessons contained in the tale. At the conclusion of the reading, students received certificates and stickers, and were given instructions on how to log on at home at their own computers with their parents to Read for the Record.

Shown in the photo Students at Raymond J. Lockhart Elementary School use a SMARTBoard in their computer lab to participate in Read for the Record. They are pictured with Principal Lori Dano, left, and Assistant Principal Laura McConnell, right.