RCSD students strengthen literacy skills and deepen classroom engagement through a districtwide Read & Play Day

Rochester, New York – For one school day, classrooms across the Rochester City School District looked and felt a little different. Books were still open, but students were also building, moving, experimenting, and leading the way. For the first time, the district joined forces with Healthi Kids to merge World Read Aloud Day and Global School Play Day into a single districtwide celebration called Level Up! Read & Play Day, an initiative designed to strengthen literacy through hands-on, student-centered play.

The event brought together PreK–12 students from across the district with a shared goal: learning through experiences that feel natural, joyful, and engaging. Rather than separating reading from play, the day blended the two, recognizing that literacy does not develop in isolation but grows through exploration, conversation, and creativity.

“Level Up Read and Play Day elevates student voice by squarely centering literacy in student learning and activity, honoring how they learn best,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools. “Through reading, storytelling, and purposeful play, students are not just making choices; they are expressing ideas and engaging with learning in ways that are meaningful to them. This approach strengthens literacy while fostering confidence and a lifelong connection to learning.”

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Throughout the district, schools transformed hallways and classrooms into spaces that invited curiosity. Students rotated through dramatic reading stations, storytelling corners, and group read-aloud sessions that encouraged participation rather than passive listening. The focus was not only on reading words on a page, but on understanding stories, sharing ideas, and connecting language to real-world experiences.

A wide range of community members joined students as special guest readers, reinforcing the idea that reading belongs to everyone, not just teachers. Among those taking part were Adam Bello, Monroe County Executive; James Gilbert, News 8 Meteorologist; Stacey Pensgen, News 10NBC Meteorologist; Jesus Paesch, Language Access Compliance Coordinator for Monroe County; members of local law enforcement; and others who partnered with Dr. Rosser to read and speak with students. In some schools, students even hosted a livestream, leading interviews and discussions with the guest readers and giving them a chance to practice communication skills in real time.

While reading anchored the day, play brought the learning to life. Students took the lead during STEM experiment stations inspired by science-themed books, tested ideas through hands-on challenges, and explored problem-solving in small groups. Physical education classes incorporated sports-themed read-alouds, connecting movement with storytelling. Extended recess periods encouraged collaboration, imagination, and social interaction, all while supporting academic goals.

“Play is how children learn best, “said Mike Bulger, Director of Whole-Child Health Advocacy at Healthi Kids. “It’s their natural way of making sense of the world. Stories are how humans have always understood the world around them, and when we combine play with reading aloud, we are not just teaching literacy skills, we are raising a new generation of readers who see books as joyful, life-changing experiences.”

At Iris J. Banister School No. 33, the day reflected practices already embedded in daily learning, while also offering something special. Classrooms buzzed with energy as students read together, shared stories, and moved freely between activities designed to spark curiosity.

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“One of the initiatives we have in our building is that kids have books in their hands every day and they have an opportunity to read those books,” said Lisa Garrow, Principal of School No. 33. “In conjunction with World Read Aloud Day, we are also celebrating World Play Day, which is an opportunity for our students to explore movement and learn through play.”

For educators and district leaders, Level Up! Read & Play Day was more than a single event. It was a reflection of a broader commitment to whole-child education, where academic growth, emotional development, and social skills are equally valued. By blending two global movements into one unified experience, the district reinforced the message that learning is most powerful when students are engaged, heard, and encouraged to take ownership of their education.

As students closed books, packed up projects, and headed home, the impact of the day lingered. Through stories read aloud, games played together, and ideas explored side by side, RCSD students were reminded that learning does not have to be rigid to be meaningful—and that literacy can grow strongest when it is paired with joy.