The Virginia Literacy Act aims to improve early literacy outcomes for all students. The DCPS Literacy Page will provide information and resources to our families.
Our Goal
The DCPS goal for literacy instruction mirrors that of the state of Virginia: “To ensure that all children have the necessary skills to become successful readers, writers, speakers, and listeners with the critical thinking skills that are required to be successful as they progress and transition through the stages of their lives” (VDOE)
What is Literacy?
Literacy primarily refers to the ability to read and write. However, an expanded definition of literacy also carries additional significance. Some examples depicting the broader range of literacy include: Academic literacy, Computer literacy, Cultural literacy, Economic literacy, Functional literacy, Media literacy and Workplace literacy. (VDOE)
Literacy Resources for Families and Communities
Find resources to support literacy and learning at home.
- Family Literacy Webinars engages families and communities in fostering a love for literacy with a variety of informative sessions hosted by VDOE specialists and coordinators as well as educators and community groups from across the Commonwealth.
- Literacy Resources for Families and Communities contains a few of the many general online resources that are free to teachers, parents, and students.
- VLP Family Resource Page -The Virginia Literacy Partnership (VLP) is a program at the University of Virginia School of Education that works with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to improve literacy in Virginia. Their work includes supporting families to raise awareness of the importance of reading.
- Reading Doesn’t Just Happen -This short video helps us understand that reading doesn’t just happen. It must be taught. It’s never too soon to start. Language is more than words.
Our DCPS Reading Specialists:
Click here to view the Reading Specialist job description.
| School Name | Reading Specialist Name | Email Address |
| Dinwiddie Elementary School | Monica Wiseman
Kathy Harrison |
mwiseman@dcpsnet.org |
| Midway Elementary School | Kimberly Bird | kbird@dcpsnet.org |
| Southside Elementary School | Michaela Green Annie Zorn |
mgreen@dcpsnet.org azorn@dcpsnet.org |
| Sunnyside Elementary School | Kathy Harrison | katharrison@dcpsnet.org |
| Sutherland Elementary School | Desiree Robert Christine Pagan Kimberly Bird |
deroberts@dcpsnet.org cpagan@dcpsnet.org kbird@dcpsnet.org |
| Dinwiddie Middle School | Erica Johnson Camille Scott Rebecca Spengler |
ejohnson@dcpsnet.org cscott@dcpsnet.org rspengler@dcpsnet.org |
| Dinwiddie High School | Crystal Giannini | cgiannini@dcpsnet.org |