Dexter, Missouri - Mayor of the city of Dexter, Mr. Joe Weber signed a proclamation Tuesday, November 12th declaring Reading Week from November 11th - 15th, 2013 at Dexter Public Schools.

The Proclamation is to honor the teachers of the Dexter School District for their dedication and commitment to their students and their community.

National Reading Week is a time for citizens and students to reaffirm their commitment to our public schools and to recognize the critical role that learning plays in the the development of a strong community.

Monday was "Camping Day".  Students at Southwest Elementary and Central were encouraged to dress as if they were going camping.  There were lots of red plaid, camo, boots, and camping t-shirts seen throughout the classrooms.

On Wednesday students will be dressing as their favorite character from a book.  Thursday is wear your pajamas/PJs day or comfy clothes and the students and teachers will end the week on Friday with "Show Your School Spirit" by wearing red and black.

National Young Readers Week is an annual event co-founded in 1989 by Pizza Hut and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.  To make this week special for the student, local "celebrity" readers will be invited to read aloud favorite children's books to classrooms.  Celebrities include local officials, sports figures, public safety officers, parents and other guests from the community.

This year's celebrities include Laura Cooper, T.J. Scott, Tony Curran, Christina Jenkins, Rachelle Bennett, Cheryl Parrish, April DeBerry, Rance Butler, Sarah Ferrell, Jessica Young, Willa Fees, Rachel Watson, Ashley Cross, Kate Churchill, Luke Gentry, Hayden Jarrell, Sophia Stevens, Lexie Munoz, Holden Duer, Misty Lacy, Dian Wamble, Rhonda Churchill, Shane Strickler, Jennifer Caldwell, Marty Thompson, Crystal Moore, Mauri Kennedy, Cory Hill, Lisa Musgrave, Alisha Skiles, Kay Bond and many more.  Thank you for volunteering your time to read to such wonderful students.

Children learn to enjoy reading by example.  If they see adults reading, they are more likely to pick up a book.  Meeting people from a variety of occupational fields helps to reinforce the fact that reading plays an important role in any career a person chooses.