Riley the Raccoon promotes literacy at Hunter and Unaka Elementary Schools

Published 3:00 pm Thursday, March 14, 2024

The Tennessee Department of Education’s mascot, Riley the Raccoon, made special appearances at Hunter and Unaka Elementary Schools on Wednesday, March 13. Riley’s visit aimed to promote literacy and engage students in the joy of reading.

Starting at Hunter Elementary, Riley visited classrooms where students in Kindergarten, 3rd, and 4th grades eagerly welcomed him. As part of the visit, students had the exciting opportunity to select a book from the Carter County School Reaching Everyone to Achieve, Discover & Succeed (READS) bus, enriching their reading experiences and fostering a love for learning.

Following the engaging session at Hunter Elementary, Riley embarked on his next adventure to Unaka Elementary. There, he continued spreading the message of literacy by interacting with 3rd and 4th graders aboard the book bus. Students eagerly browsed through the selection of books and each had the chance to pick out a book to take home, further promoting a culture of reading and exploration.

Riley’s visit served as a reminder of the importance of literacy in academic success and provided students with an exciting and memorable experience centered around the joy of reading.