Nearly half the students at Galva’s elementary school enjoyed an evening honoring books and the importance of reading. On Thursday, March 20, students from Pre-K through sixth grade joined their parents for the annual event.
Greeted by teachers as they entered the gymnasium, each student received a welcome pack that included a new book, along with literacy-related items.
The animal-themed program “Wild about Reading” was coordinated by Amanda Dynes and Heather Sellers, the “Response to Intervention” (Rtl) teachers, and Librarian Amanda Norway. Other teachers and staff assisted with activities. The gym and school rooms were turned into a jungle of wild animal décor, including an array of animal pelts that could be viewed and touched.
“We had a great turnout,” said Dynes. “We had the largest participation to date.”
She noted that 70 percent of the kindergarten class took part; fourth graders followed with 57 percent, and second graders with 55 percent. “All together, nearly half of the total enrollment participated.”
Classrooms became spaces for reading games, storytelling and reading bingo, all designed to promote the idea that reading is enjoyable and that books are essential.
One of the most popular activities was the “Book Walk,” in which participants won additional books to take home. A book fair allowed children to purchase books, while other contests provided free, gently used ones to winners.
The Family Reading Night celebrates a reading program that runs from October to March. In addition to class time, special emphasis is given to reading at home. Students document the number of minutes they read each night, and winners are announced during the evening’s program. Classrooms also compete for a win, adding to the benefit of reading.
This year’s individual winners who received a certificate and a free book from the Book Fair were:
· Pre-k – Vivian VanWassenhove, Emberleigh Leeper
· Kindergarten – Kaliyah Leeper, Victoria Bates
· 1st Grade – Alitta Leeper, Mercer Trigg
· 2nd Grade – Luke Bollinger, Luke Wangelin
· 3rd Grade – Knox Glaser, Addison Boston
· 4th Grade – Addison Schwigen, Ryder Johnston
· 5th Grade – Libby Wangelin, Klaire Gale
Overall class winner for minutes read went to Mrs. Bosnich’s Kindergarten Class with a total of 12,032 minutes.
As in previous years, the Galva Kiwanis Club prepared walking tacos and served them to over 175 parents, teachers and students.
“During the week before the event, themed T-shirts were sold and the Book Fair raised over $4,700,” said Dynes. “It was a great success in many ways, and we are already looking to next year’s event.”
