Teachers use football to encourage reading in West Point

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – You can bet reading is important at East Side Elementary in West Point.

Reading cheerleaders, also known as teachers, are rallying for reading.

Former MSU standout football Fletcher Cox and his friend Chris Long were among the athletes who donated books to Mississippi students.

Planned to coincide with the Super Bowl, this is called the “First Quarter for Literacy Week.”

“We set the foundation in Pre-K and Kindergarten because it is so important that we foster that love of reading at an early age. These children need to know how to read in order to be successful in life so we are thankful for the Chris Long Foundation,” said librarian Melissa McKinney.

Each child will go home with five brand new books.