The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office will share the joy of reading with a story time video during National Reading Month. The National Education Association has designated March as National Reading Month with Read Across America Day on March 2.
In years past, Sheriff’s Office staff were invited into classrooms across the county, where they would read a children’s story, as well as share stories about their roles at the Sheriff’s Office.
This year, Sheriff Bill Brown and other staff members have pre-recorded book readings that share important messages. Brown reads “I Can Believe in Myself,” a story about having an “I-can” attitude, written by local author Jack Canfield and Miriam Laundry. Canfield is best known for his “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books.
Sheriff’s Deputy Phillip Farley, accompanied by his K9 partner Odin, will read “The Koala Who Could” by Rachel Bright, about how life can be great when you try something new.
Custody Lt, Dulce Brooks with Custody Deputy Wendy Shannon read Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go” in English and Spanish.
Amber Nunes, RN, from the Wellpath jail medical staff reads “While We Can’t Hug” by Eoin Mclaughlin, a COVID-relevant story about how to show someone you care from across a distance.
The Sheriff’s Office has added the video to its YouTube channel, where it can be viewed in all classrooms-cohort, virtual, and homeschool.
Another way the Sheriff’s Office will share the importance of reading is by connecting incarcerated individuals to their children. The Sheriff’s Treatment Program has arranged for inmates in the program to record a story video for their children that will be sent to them along with the videos from staff.