Reading and writing are equally vital components in effective communication. Our goal is to ensure that all students graduate as analytical readers, writers, and communicators of language.

To accomplish our instructional goals, we adhere to the following literacy principles. These principles provide a focus for our teachers as they determine the appropriate instructional methods, strategies, and materials to best meet the needs of all our learners.

• Learning to read and write is a complex, multifaceted process.
• Reading and writing are all about experiencing language, not merely practicing isolated skills.
• Reading and writing are interconnected forms of communication that emerge from listening and speaking.
• There is no ‘one way’ to teach reading or writing; teachers need to incorporate a wide variety of instructional strategies to teach every student.
• Reading and writing acquisition occurs along a developmental continuum of stages.
• All children can acquire literacy along the continuum with appropriate accommodations.
• Knowing where the learner is along the developmental continuum enables teachers to evaluate, plan, and teach appropriately.
• Children should be immersed in a print-rich environment.
• Reading and writing to, with, and by children should be daily events.
• Children should have opportunity to read self-selected materials and write on self-selected topics daily.
• Reading and writing should be meaningful and integrated into all content areas.
• Teaching reading and writing is the responsibility of all teachers- not just language arts teachers.