The Teunis G. Bergen Elementary School (P.S. 9) is planning its third annual Real Men Read in order to raise awareness of the importance of reading and male involvement in the lives of boys. The research on school data, as well as nationwide data, shows that male students are not making the types of gains in their reading and literacy skills that female students are making.
To continue to address this need, P.S. 9 is hosting a day where male students will be encouraged to not only participate in shared reading with the males from their families and community, but also to engage in hobbies and activities that they are interested in and that also support their talents. The day’s events will include: presentations by dads, mentors and male role models (young and old) from P.S. 9 and our Prospect Heights community; “Clinics,” which will include becoming an author, cooking, dress for success, car care, wood working, hobbies, archery, martial arts, cycling, soccer, Boy Scouts and much more.
Last year Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Assemblyman Hakim Jeffries attended and Saturday June 4, 2009 was proclaimed “Real Men Read Day” in Brooklyn, New York, by Borough President Markowitz.
For more information please visit the school’s website at www.ps9brooklyn.org. For information about how to support Real Men Read, or if you are a male adult interested in participating or operating a "clinic", contact Charmaine Derrell-Jacob, Parent Coordinator at 718.638.3260 X1121 or cderrell@schools.nyc.gov.