Atlanta summer reading initiative ‘takes off’ with QA

Five hundred students have each received their first book for the summer, courtesy of Qatar Airways and Atlanta Public Schools, to kick-start the “School’s Out, Reading Is In!” programme.
Qatar Airways cabin crew and staff from the Americas office visited Heritage Academy Elementary School to gift the books and share stories with the children on how important reading - and travelling - is to expanding personal horizons.
The “School’s Out, Reading Is In!” programme inspires students to maintain their academic progress through the summer holiday by providing each student from K-5 grades with grade-appropriate books.
Qatar Airways is partnering with Atlanta Public Schools to support this endeavour and further inspire students to explore the world through reading.
Qatar Airways vice-president of the Americas, Gunter Saurwein, said: “A love of reading is the first step in cultivating a life of exploration, and the Atlanta Public Schools programme is a powerful contribution to these students’ development. When these students are older, we will be ready to make their dreams come true by flying them around the world, so they can experience the places they read about this summer.”
Qatar Airways cabin crew members, representing six cultures from around the world, visited students to discuss summer travel and their home countries as well as to read with them.
They also shared their favourite travel stories.
Students then broke into groups to read their first summer book together.
The cabin crew then gave each student a mini football from FC Barcelona, the football team of which Qatar Airways is the primary sponsor, to start their summer break.
Also in attendance was Atlanta Public School superintendent Dr Meria Carstarphen to mark the occasion.
“Helping elementary school students build strong reading skills is fundamental to ensuring that students graduate college and are career-ready,” said Dr Carstarphen.“We are grateful for partners like Qatar Airways who provide resources and volunteers who inspire our students to develop a love for life-long reading.”
In a statement, Qatar Airways has stressed that it is committed to inspiring a love of education, travel and other cultures in each of the communities it serves.
Qatar Airways is also the official communications ambassador for the Education Above All Foundation’s ‘Educate a Child (EAC)’ global programme.
Launched in November 2012 by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, EAC aims to significantly reduce the number of children worldwide who are denied their right to education.