Jeff Smith for Missouri

St. Louis — This week, Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, continued his commitment to improve academic achievement in schools by visiting two more St. Louis public schools on Friday, January 11th. The trip included a visit to a new school designed especially for English language learners.

In order to further support schools in the district, Sen. Smith will be participating in the new family and community reading initiative entitled “A Million Minutes by March.” The district-wide program will challenge all students to read a minimum of twenty minutes each day outside of the classroom, encouraging children to develop strong, lifelong reading habits. As part of the program, Smith read to students at Jefferson Elementary School and Clyde C. Miller Career Academy last Friday. After visiting more than 30 schools in his first year in office, Smith expects to visit every school in his district by the end of this year.

“This is the best part of my job,” said Sen. Smith, who frequently engages students in discussions about the legislative process during his school visits. “There is no higher priority than ensuring that every student has the resources necessary to succeed in the classroom and compete in the new global economy.”

During his visits, Smith will continue to meet with students, teachers, and administrators to learn how they are focusing on academic achievement and to ascertain what help might be welcome from state government.