North Kentucky News

The Read Ready Covington early literacy program is set to launch its sixth A-Z Walking Tour, an interactive educational event designed for children. The tour will commence at 5 p.m. on Wednesday in the Monte Casino neighborhood, with a ceremony at 2299 Benton Road.

“The A-Z Walking Tour is an authentic way to nurture curiosity, encourage problem-solving, and connect oral language to the printed word and to symbols,” said Read Ready Covington Director Mary Kay Connolly. “It’s fun. It’s a game. And the kids love it. Every time they ‘find’ a sign, they act like it’s the first time they’ve ever seen one.”

Monte Casino is the latest neighborhood in Covington to participate in this initiative, joining West Latonia, Peaselburg, Austinburg, Lewisburg, and the Central Business District. The inclusion of Monte Casino was driven by local residents' requests.

Angela Duncan, a Monte Casino resident who became familiar with the walking tours during the Covid-19 pandemic, played a key role in bringing the tour to her neighborhood. She had previously taken her sons to Peaselburg for similar activities due to the absence of such events in their area.

“They liked the little passport (book) and drawing their version of the signs,” said Duncan. She believed it would be an excellent activity for families in her community.

Duncan collaborated with her mother, Vicki Davis Cook, and Connolly to establish specific locations for signs within Monte Casino. The Public Works Department of Covington installed these signs.

“The activity is a great way to meet neighbors that you might not know,” Duncan added. “This gives us something to do together and helps younger kids learn their words. The Spanish version on one side of the signs is an added bonus for them.”

At Wednesday's event, participants will receive "passport" books along with hot dogs and beverages.

Families can pick up pink passports at various locations including City Hall at 20 W. Pike St., or Kenton County Public Library at 502 Scott Blvd., and follow maps provided in these booklets to search for pink metal signs featuring words and corresponding pictures.

Once children locate a sign, they write down that word in their passport booklets and draw a picture of it. Upon completing all 26 letters of the alphabet hunt, participants can turn in their completed passports at Covington Public Library for a prize.

Read Ready Covington (RRC) is led by a collaboration of literacy champions across Covington and its region aiming to foster educated and engaged citizens from today's young children. For more information about RRC's initiatives, visit their webpage.