When the Planning District 16 Community Health Assessment was released earlier this year, Caroline County ranked fifth out of five Fredericksburg-area localities in median income, household educational attainment, while also having the highest rate of chronic medical conditions.
Caroline County Public Schools Superintendent Sarah Calveric has pondered myriad ways to give the county a boost in those areas, and the school division eventually came up with one that ties directly to its education mission — literacy.
CCPS determined that not only will graduation rates increase in the county with improved literacy, but residents would be better able to navigate healthcare, housing and financial difficulties, as well.
“It builds healthier, more stable families and communities,” Calveric said.
Caroline County Public School Superintendent Sarah Calveric (right) assists a mother and daughter searching for reading materials on the Caroline Cruiser this past Saturday, Dec. 13. (Photo courtesy of Caroline County Public Schools)
The superintendent announced during Monday’s school board meeting a grant-funded initiative aimed not only at improving literacy among students, but also among adults in the county.
Caroline Reads is a year-long campaign aimed at fostering a culture of reading, building community connections through literacy, and improving access and equity in reading opportunities.
A survey went out to more than 600 community members about the campaign, which will include book clubs for adults, reading incentives, a summer reading program, a Caroline High School bookstore/cafe, and visits from local and national authors.
“I am really impressed with respect to the robust nature that this approach has taken,” said school board member Lydell Fortune, who represents the Mattaponi District. “It’s not only a school- or division-wide program, but also a community-wide effort that encompasses the entire county.”
The initiative kicked off this past Saturday when the Caroline Cruiser — a revamped school bus wrapped with images of county history — traveled to various stops with shelves full of literature.
Calveric noted that more than 300 books were put in the hands of approximately 150 families who participated. The stops included the Walgreens in Bowling Green, Second Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dawn, Lotus Academy in Ladysmith, and the Port Royal library.
Bowling Green District school board member Michael Hubbard said it was encouraging to see families walk out of the Walgreens and onto the cruiser to shop for books.
“Great idea, great concept,” Hubbard said. “I thought it was tremendous to see the staff on a Saturday out providing support for the effort.”
The school division used grant funds from the “All-in VA” state education comprehensive plan to hire consultant Kirstin Hildum to oversee the initiative. Hidlum is a bookstore owner with experience as a public-school educator and librarian, and Title I specialist and coordinator.
“Increased literacy engagement is a goal for all of Caroline County, not just our students,” Hildum said. “Adults that are involved in a reading community model positive reading behaviors for children and have increased well-being and commitment to their broader community.”
The book clubs will be for adults age 19 and older with rounds in the winter, summer and fall of 2026. The school division will provide a facilitator and free books. Each round will have two in-person and one virtual club with genres including mystery/thriller, historic fiction, and contemporary fiction.
A community bookstore that students will keep organized and stocked will open at the high school. Caroline High culinary students will operate the cafe in the bookstore with baked goods, snacks and a variety of drinks.
On Feb. 7, there will be a Main Street kickoff in Bowling Green with a storybook walk, free books, interactive activities, and crafts. Throughout the year, there will also be a charity challenge and an opportunity for students to author, illustrate and publish their own books. The year will end with the cruiser making more stops in the county, distributing books.
Assistant Superintendent Michael Mudd also announced Monday that the school division was awarded $218,000 in grant funds to assist with literacy at Bowling Green Elementary and Caroline Middle School.
