Marion, SC, February 2, 2022– The Marion County School District is partnering with the organization B.O.O.S.T or Building Off Others, Start Transforming during the month of February to promote reading.

Founded by Marion, South Carolina native Marcus Robinson, B.O.O.S.T is a non-profit organization with a mission of helping others build off of one another.  The program is designed to help reconnect people, build up the community, and to mentor those who are in need. 

To honor Black History month, the B.O.O.S.T is providing books by local African American authors to the primary and elementary schools in the district.  Each book has a link to a video where either the author or a guest reads their book aloud.  Each week the students in Kindergarten through 5^th grade will be introduced to a new book using the video.  The signed books will then be placed in the school’s Library Media Center for students to check out and read on their own.

“Diverse children's books are important for our students of color because it offers important representation, visibility, and relatable content that they can connect to while learning,” explains Shalah Sweeney, Chief Academic Officer for Marion County School District.  ”When our schools have books that represent a variety of cultures and people, it helps us understand those who are different than us by opening a window into that experience.”

“Partnerships such as this bring rich resources to our classrooms,” said Superintendent Dr. Kandace Bethea. "We are fortunate and grateful for the efforts of Mr. Marcus Robinson.”

For more information on B.O.O.S.T, visit their website at boostprogram.org.

https://wpde.com/news/local/marion-county-school-district-forms-new-partnership-with-boost