LANSING — Sen. John Proos kicked off “March is Reading Month” on Friday by visiting first- and fifth-graders at Sister Lakes Elementary School in Dowagiac. He will be reading at schools throughout Southwest Michigan, including Howard Ellis Elementary School in Niles.

“Reading to children at a young age has been shown to generate an interest in learning, a creative spirit and a confidence in academic ability later in life,” said Proos, R-St. Joseph.  “It also provides an opportunity for families to communicate and bond with one another.”

Proos said that although there is a direct correlation between literacy and success in the workforce, only one-third of all students nationally entering high school are proficient in reading.

In an effort to promote the importance of reading, Proos will be reading to hundreds of students at local elementary schools throughout Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.

Proos also will be delivering copies of “A Pirate’s Quest,” a book by Laura and Robert Sams, a brother-sister creative team from Michigan. Proos encouraged kids to utilize their local libraries and all of the helpful services they can provide.