Mayor’s Reading Club Launches at Rincon Elementary on Read Across Effingham Day

On Friday, April 25, the City of Rincon celebrated Read Across Effingham Day with a special visit to Rincon Elementary School by Mayor Kevin Exley, City Council members Mona Underwood, and Tim Milner. The city leaders read to Kindergarten and 1st-grade students, promoting the joy and importance of reading. They also visited two 3rd-grade classrooms to introduce students to an exciting new initiative: the Mayor’s Reading Club.

As part of this announcement, Mayor Exley shared that the City of Rincon will purchase a book for every 3rd-grade student at Rincon Elementary and provide a bookshelf filled with books for the school’s library. The effort is part of a statewide literacy initiative led by Georgia Forward and the Georgia Municipal Association, aimed at increasing early reading proficiency and community engagement in literacy.

The Mayor’s Reading Club features a unique children’s book series, including titles such as Georgia Caroline Visits City Hall, Georgia Caroline Visits Our Hometown Heroes, and Georgia Caroline Visits the Water Treatment Plant. These books help children learn more about their communities and the role of local government in everyday life.

On Monday, April 28, the City of Rincon held an official meeting to proclaim April 25, 2025, as “Mayor’s Reading Club Day” in Rincon. The meeting was attended by Rincon Elementary School Principal Karla Clayton and Assistant Principals Melissa Long and Janine Manior, who showed their support for the initiative and its impact on student learning.

“We are so grateful for the support from Mayor Exley and the City of Rincon,” said Karla Clayton, Principal of Rincon Elementary. “The Mayor’s Reading Club puts books in the hands of our students and shows them that their community believes in their potential. This partnership makes a lasting impact on our young readers.”

In his proclamation, Mayor Exley highlighted the importance of literacy not only in education but in workforce development, health, and overall quality of life. 

“Through programs like this, we’re not just encouraging students to read—we’re helping to build a brighter future,” said Mayor Kevin Exley. “Literacy is the foundation of opportunity, and we are proud to invest in our children through the Mayor’s Reading Club.”

The City of Rincon encourages all residents, businesses, and community partners to support this initiative and help elevate literacy as a community-wide priority.