After weeks of clues and mounting anticipation, Meramec Elementary students learned on Jan. 9 the title of book they will be reading with their families during the next month as part of Meramec’s One School, One Book initiative: Charlotte’s Web. One School, One Book is a shared reading experience in which the entire Meramec community will read the literary classic at home. Thanks to financial support from the Meramec PTO, each student received a copy of Charlotte’s Web at the kickoff assembly on Jan. 9, along with a bookmark containing the at-home reading schedule.

Reading Specialist Katie Cotsworth is spearheading the One School, One Book initiative at Meramec this winter in order to strengthen the school’s culture of literacy and to deepen connections among the school’s families. Reading the book aloud also provides families with the opportunity to spend quality time together while helping students to become more effective readers.

Throughout the month, students, staff and their families will read aloud about four chapters of the book each week. They can share photos of their family reading together on the school’s One School, One Book website, where they also have access to audio readings and more information about the program.