Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) visited the Plattsburgh City School District today in celebration of Agricultural Literacy Week and for his second stop of his District 115 School Appreciation Tour.

To kick off the morning, the assemblyman joined the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County to read Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Eric-Shabazz Larkin to students at Momot Elementary followed by an interactive activity pertaining to the story. During the reading, students went on an explorative journey to learn about community gardens and to inspire them to build communities through food.

“It’s important that our children not only learn the joys of reading but also learn about the importance of fresh food and farming in our communities,” said Assemblyman Jones. “As a former dairy farmer and a father of a young girl who is starting to explore the joys of farming, I appreciate Agricultural Literacy Week for introducing students to the power of farming in our communities and instill an early interest in growing fresh food in our communities.”

Following the book reading, Superintendent Jay Lebrun and the Plattsburgh Teachers Association hosted Jones for a tour of the Plattsburgh City School District as part of the assemblyman’s District 115 School Appreciation Tour. During the visit, Jones thanked teachers, staff, and administrators for all their hard work over the past two years.

“The past two years have been challenging for school districts- teachers, staff, and administrators have gone above and beyond to make sure students receive the best education possible considering the circumstances,” said Jones. “My District 115 School Appreciation Tour is to celebrate what our local school districts have overcome to educate our students and I want to thank everyone who works at our schools for all that they’ve done to keep our kids safe during the pandemic. All of your hard work is truly appreciated by everyone in the North Country.”

“We’re delighted to welcome Assemblyman Jones back to Plattsburgh City Schools,” said Superintendent Jay Lebrun.“The Assemblyman has been a strong supporter of public schools and sharing the products of our labors -- such as our exceptional curricular and co-curricular programs – should serve to reinforce his tremendous efforts on behalf of North Country students.He could spend a week in our amazing schools and still not see all that makes the Hornet community special, but we’re honored and grateful that he’s been able to take time from his busy legislative schedule to join us for a sampling.Assemblyman Jones visited us in September to welcome Hornet students back for the first day of what we all hoped would a more normal school year.Now, many months later, it is amazing to reflect upon the progress which we’ve made in working through the pandemic challenges.We’re excited to welcome him back.”

Jones launched his District 115 School Appreciation Tour last week at Saranac Lake and plans to visit every school district in his district before the end of the school year.