Special to the Chronicle

There’s nothing quite like a bedtime story.

The principal at Saluda River Academy for the Arts is making sure his students and families get one.

Every Sunday night, Principal Jim LeBlanc reads over video a specially selected book that students can follow along with.

The books are available through the school’s Face-book, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube accounts, as well as on ClassDojo.

LeBlanc started his Sunday night readings in August, the night before the 1st Monday of the new school year.

He hasn’t missed 1 since.

This has been a great way to engage families and the community to promote the importance and a love for reading, said LeBlanc.

LeBlanc sat down to talk about his popular Sunday night reads, as well as other literacy initiatives at the Lexington 2 arts magnet school.

Q: How did you come up with the idea?

LeBlanc: In establishing a literacy-rich culture for our school, I stumbled upon a news clip of Dr. Belinda George, the principal at Homer Drive Elementary in Beaumont, Texas. It shared how she reads stories to her students, given that the school serves a large population of students who she could not know for sure read at home. This got me thinking about our school, and how this would be a tangible way to share my love for reading with our families, as well as ensure that each of our students has an opportunity to be read to every Sunday evening. This also provides an example for parents to follow when reading with their students at home.

Q. How do you decide what books to read?

LeBlanc: I work with my media specialist, Jess Land, to choose a book that is going to engage our students and their families.

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