CHAPEL HILL – You might have spotted the scrambled letter signs scattered across Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Yrntsqzpapxl!
It looks like gibberish, but Mary Carey said that’s the point. The organization BootstrapsPAC is behind the posters. Carey said that more than 100 have been placed along the busy intersections in Orange County alone.
“It frustrated adults and kids who are used to being able to read every sign,” Carey said.
Bootstraps is a nonpartisan, volunteer political action committee that seeks to shed light on the childhood illiteracy problem in the Triangle.
“When there are huge populations not learning how to read, it doesn’t just impact that child, it impacts the entire community,” Carey said. “It hurts Chapel Hill and Carrboro that half of our economically disadvantaged kids failed their reading tests.”
Carey said the signs were purposely placed to coincide with election season. She said she wants school board candidates and incumbents to take notice.
“They’re representing all of the kids who can’t read any of the signs or their classroom materials,” Carey said. “There is a greater understanding and frustration for what these kids are feeling every day.”
Carey explained that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools System is one of the top districts in North Carolina, but that a significant portion of students are still struggling.
Bootstraps’ website purports that 51 percent of economically disadvantaged children in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools System failed the third grade reading test, according to information gathered from NCPublicSchools.org.
Carey said she hoped this sign campaign would boost activism in helping to solve childhood illiteracy in our area.
“We want to connect them with organizations that are trying to help these kids and ask those individuals if they can give an hour a week and volunteer in a classroom or tutor with the Orange County Literacy Center or become a mentor,” Carey said.
For more information on area organizations to increase literacy, click here.
Related Stories
‹
CHCCS Announces Public Talks Regarding Potential $2.1 Million Funding CutSuperintendent Rodney Trice will deliver a series of public talks discussing a potential $2.1 million reduction in funding from the state in the 2026-27 school year.
CHCCS Reviews Mixed Initial Student, Teacher Feedback for High School Block ScheduleAs Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools enter the second quarter, the district recently gave an update on its new high school block schedule.
2025 Election Results for Local Races in Orange County and PittsboroTuesday marked Election Day for local races across North Carolina. Here are the vote tallies for Orange County and Pittsboro's elections.
Barbara Jessie-Black, Longtime Leader of CommunityWorx, Dies at 62Barbara Jessie-Black, who helped lead the Carrboro nonprofit CommunityWorx for more than two decades, died this week at the age of 62.
2025 Candidate Introductions: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board Of EducationThe 2025 race for the CHCCS Board of Education appears to be straightforward, with three candidates for three seats. Hear from each one.
Carrboro Police Seeking Suspect in Attempted Rape on Public BikewayThe Carrboro Police Department is seeking the suspect in an attempted rape that occurred on the Frances Shetley Bikeway, located between North Greensboro Street and Shelton Street, early Thursday morning. Police shared a release Thursday morning saying a woman was walking her dog between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. when she was attacked. The suspect […]
Orange County Discusses Bond Projects and State Budget Delay With Local School BoardsThe Orange County Board of Commissioners recently held a joint meeting with the local school boards to hear updates from each district.
Student Fights at East Chapel Hill High School Injure 5 Staff Members; Incidents Under InvestigationA pair of fights between students at East Chapel Hill High School on Friday led to several responding staff injuries and disruption.
CHCCS Board Holds Preliminary Conversation for Hypothetical Elementary School ClosureThe Board of Education for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools recently met to hear a presentation about closing one of its elementary schools.
CHCCS Superintendent Trice Shares Excitement, Details New Cellphone Policy Ahead of New School YearMonday will mark the first CHCCS school year under Superintendent Rodney Trice's leadership. He joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss.
›
