Photo By Staff Sgt. Simone Sampson | Officers from Metropolitan Police Department and Civil Operators from the District of...... read more read more
WASHINGTON—The Metropolitan Police Department's 4th District Community Outreach Unit and the District of Columbia National Guard Counterdrug, Drug Demand Reduction Outreach Program (DDRO) team visited Powell Elementary School March 3, 2025, to read books to students as part of the annual Read Across America celebration.
Read Across America, launched by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998, is a year-round initiative dedicated to promoting literacy among children and teens. The week-long celebration brings interactive events, partnerships, and resources to motivate young readers.
“It’s pleasing to read to kids,” said Officer Antoine Lesesene, a Metropolitan Police Department Outreach Officer. “I like having the kids look at us officers in a different light; we are letting them know that we’re normal too.”
With a background in education and 12 years of service as a police officer, Lesesene is deeply involved in the community, collaborating with schools and senior citizen centers and partnering with organizations like the DDRO team on outreach initiatives such as Plant the Promise and community walks.
“We have to keep the kids involved, and the same goes for the community,” Lesesene emphasized. “We have to keep everyone active, keep them engaged so they won’t feel left out.”
DDRO team is dedicated to combating drug misuse and abuse by providing educational resources and engaging youth through interactive prevention initiatives. Their efforts equip children and parents with the essential knowledge and tools needed to make positive, healthy life choices.
“I enjoyed participating in this event,” said Sgt. Noel Williams, a civil operator with the DDRO team. “Seeing the excitement of the kids and their participation added to the impact of reaching the youth of today. It’s important to encourage literacy—it takes a community to raise our youth.”
During the event, officers and DDRO team members read “I Promise” by LeBron James (2020), a book that encourages children to strive for excellence and make healthy life choices. Earlier in the day, parents also participated in the reading initiative, reinforcing the importance of literacy at home.
“The parents were trained on how to read at home,” explained Rosette Ladson, the Powell Elementary school counselor and event coordinator. “This is a two-part process. What we teach at school, students take home to practice—whether it’s parents reading with them or using closed captions on TV so they can see words and hear their sounds. These are all strategies to reinforce what they’re learning.”
The need for literacy-focused initiatives remains a priority. In 2024, only 32.3% of D.C. students in grades 3–5 met or exceeded the statewide English language arts literacy assessment expectations.
By fostering a culture of reading, young people can be empowered with the knowledge, skills, and emotional resilience necessary to make healthier choices and avoid the temptation of drugs. Reading promotes critical thinking, especially in the literature that presents moral dilemmas or challenges, which is essential in drug prevention.
Lesesene encourages children in every ward to keep striving for excellence. “Be a better you, not anyone else,” he says, speaking not just as a mentor but as a dedicated member of the community he seeks to uplift.
Through events like Read Across America, the MPD and DDRO team continue to use the power of books to inspire young minds, promote literacy, and encourage the next generation to write their own stories—filled with knowledge, strength, and positive choices.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.28.2025 15:20 |
| Story ID: | 492602 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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