Rochester City Schools to Celebrate First-Ever ‘Level Up! Read & Play Day

ROCHESTER, N.Y., - Students across the Rochester City School District will participate in the inaugural Level Up! Read & Play Day on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, a celebration that brings together two global movements: Global School Play Day and World Read Aloud Day.

The event, organized in partnership between the Rochester City School District (RCSD) and Healthi Kids, will give students dedicated time during the school day for unstructured play and read-aloud activities. Schools will create book-themed play zones, extend recess time, host community read- alouds and offer other creative activities that blend literacy and play.

This marks Healthi Kids' third year working with the district on Global School Play Day activities, expanding this year to include World Read Aloud Day as a OneRCSD experience for the first time.

"Play is how children learn best—it's their natural way of making sense of the world," said Mike Bulger, director of whole-child health advocacy at Healthi Kids. "Stories are how humans have always understood the world around them, and when we combine play with reading aloud, we're not just teaching literacy skills—we're raising a new generation of readers who see books as joyful, life- changing experiences.”

The program provides participating schools with up to $500 for play supplies or books, a

comprehensive activity toolkit and technical support from Healthi Kids staff.

Global School Play Day, celebrated worldwide, encourages unstructured play where students take the lead and create their own learning experiences. World Read Aloud Day, which started in New York City, celebrates the connection and possibilities that arise when children are read to aloud.

Research shows that both unstructured play and being read to are necessary for healthy development, supporting social, emotional and academic growth. These activities help build neural pathways that support lifelong success while giving students opportunities to connect with peers and adults. The day will begin with a special video message and story read aloud by RCSD superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser.

"Level Up Read and Play Day elevates student voice by squarely centering literacy in student learning and activity, honoring how they learn best," Dr. Rosser said. "Through reading, storytelling, and purposeful play, students are not just making choices; they are expressing ideas and engaging with learning in ways that are meaningful to them. This approach strengthens literacy while fostering confidence and a lifelong connection to learning."

Activities planned across different schools for Level Up! Read & Play Day include:

• Book-themed play zones inspired by student-selected stories

• Extended recess periods

• Community member read-alouds

• Dramatic reading stations with puppet shows and dress-up corners

• Physical education activities combined with sports-themed read-alouds

• STEM experiment stations inspired by science books