BOSTON, May 9, 2012—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley joined first graders at Boston’s Marshall Elementary School today, reading for the kids, bringing books for every student, and urging public officials to do the same.

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley (back right), with (from left) Assistant District Attorney Joseph Roseme and Assistant District Attorney Adam Foss, during a weekly trip by prosecutors to the Marshall Elementary School, where they read to Ms. Beazer’s first grade class. The visits build bonds between youth and the office while stressing the fun and importance of reading.

“Adults in public life have a lot of opportunities to interact with kids,” Conley said. “I want them to make the most of those opportunities, not for themselves but for the youngsters.  If you’re an elected official, a celebrity, or anyone in a position of respect, bring books and show these children the importance of reading.”

Members of Conley’s staff have joined the first graders of Karline Beazer’s class every Wednesday since November of last year, reading to them and with them to demonstrate the importance of literacy. He joined those staff members for today’s trip, bringing two dozen books from Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series for the students to bring home.

“There’s no more important skill for a child to learn and be exposed to than reading,” Conley said. “There are many ways to give back to the community, but reading aloud with children is one of the most powerful.”

Conley read today from Taro Yashima’s 1956 book, Crow Boy, the story of a young rural child isolated from his peers but with a rich internal life and keen eye for the beauty of the world around him.

“Being a good teacher takes years of experience and tremendous dedication,” Conley said. “Not everyone can do it. But almost any adult can read a book to a child. Studies show that children who have someone to read to them are more than twice as likely to graduate from college. They’re more likely to stay out of trouble while young and succeed later in life. So if you’re an adult and you’ve got the resources, step up. A child with books in the home is a child who’s going to read them.”

Last week, prosecutors brought the students on a field trip to Roxbury District Court, where they toured the facilities and watched a mock trial about a stolen bicycle. Conley and his office will continue to meet with and read to the same group of children as they progress into second grade next year.

A member of Ms. Beazer’s first grade class at the Marshall Elementary School raises her hand as Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley reads from Taro Yashima’s Crow Boy during a weekly visit by members of his office. To Conley’s left is Assistant District Attorney Adam Foss, one of several prosecutors who visit the school each week to stress the importance of reading and literacy.

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