March 5, 2026 — At Green Acres Elementary School, literacy took center stage during a week already dedicated to celebrating the joy of reading across Cobb.
As part of Read Across Cobb, students at Green Acres experienced an unforgettable day focused on books, leadership, and community support. Through the Books to Kids initiative led by Atlanta News First in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education and Peachtree TV, hundreds of age-appropriate books were placed directly into the hands of Cobb students. The event at Green Acres Elementary was part of a metro-wide effort that has been building home libraries and inspiring young readers for nearly a decade.
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Read Across Cobb highlights the district's deep commitment to building strong readers from the earliest grades. Classrooms across Cobb Schools welcomed guest readers, hosted themed literacy days, and celebrated the power of storytelling.
Students at Green Acres selected book bags filled with five carefully chosen titles matched to their grade level. They listened closely during storytime with on-air personalities and, most importantly, they left with books they could call their own.
Principal Dr. Maria Braswell said the day was about more than a celebration.
“It is so important to get the students to receive these books because it allows them to take them home and practice the most important skills that they are learning here at school,” she said. “It also helps them build that love for reading, which is so critical for students at an elementary school age and even beyond.”
Research consistently shows that students who are reading proficiently by the end of third grade are more likely to thrive academically in later years.
At Green Acres alone, about 2,600 books were distributed, adding to the initiative’s growing legacy. This year’s celebration also welcomed special guests from across Georgia, including State School Superintendent Richard Woods. His presence highlighted the importance of literacy not only locally but statewide.
“Literacy is probably the most important skill set that our kids can receive and graduate with in public education; it opens up doors to success,” Superintendent Woods said. “I don’t care what part of your life you’re going to touch; you’re going to have to be able to read to be successful. We think that leaders are readers. And we want to encourage all of our young people to become the best leaders they possibly can at Green Acres.”
He reflected on the joy of watching students receive their books, recalling one young student who eagerly asked if the books were truly his to take home. That simple question captured the heart of the initiative. Cobb Schools has long prioritized literacy as a cornerstone of student achievement. 
From structured literacy instruction in early grades to dedicated reading interventions and media center programs, the district’s focus remains clear: every child deserves the skills and confidence to read at or above grade level. Partnerships strengthen that work. When community organizations, state leaders, and media partners stand alongside educators, students feel supported from every direction.
Cobb Schools is proud to support opportunities like Books to Kids that place students first and strengthen the foundation of learning.
