NYC Gazette

Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R,C-Staten Island/Brooklyn) visited P.S. 011 Purvis J. Behan in Brooklyn today as part of Read Across America Day to encourage student literacy and education. The event, held on Mar 1, 2024, had Tannousis reading 'Our Flag Was Still There' by Mary Pickersgill to the 5th-grade class under the theme “Create A Nation Of Diverse Readers.”

"I want to thank the students and teachers for allowing me to visit today," expressed Tannousis, who noted that watching the engaged and excited students was a wonderful experience. Stressing the importance of education, Tannousis highlighted, "The value of reading and gaining education is often taken for granted so we must encourage learning so our future generations can succeed."

Sharing a personal anecdote, Tannousis revealed, "I was born in New York but I was raised in Cyprus until I was six-years-old. When I moved back to New York, I didn’t speak English but I utilized the public library to help me become fluent in the English language." He then encouraged parents and guardians to engage with their children daily and visit local libraries for educational support.

Reflecting on the impact of Read Across America Day, Tannousis emphasized, "Read Across America Day gets so many involved and brings the excitement of learning to life." He concluded his visit by expressing gratitude, "Thank you again for having me and I wish the best of luck to each student."

To access further educational resources, Tannousis directed individuals to the Brooklyn Library website for operational hours and the Storyline Online website for online learning.