Saw Mill Readers Keep Their Eye on the Ball – and Books
There were only winners in the sports-focused Pick A Reading Partner program this year at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. The theme for the annual weeklong initiative was “Have a Ball With Reading.”
The school and PTA partnered up for the successful venture from March 23-27. The message was that just as sports helps bodies grow stronger, reading will help their brains grow, such as strengthening attention, building vocabulary, improving comprehension and developing problem-solving skills.
Children were encouraged to do extra reading at home, in addition to several other literacy activities. One of the highlights was the masked reader videos, in which administrators, teachers and staff read popular children’s books while in disguise. In addition to wearing costumes, their voices were also altered but students could try to guess who each reader was based on three clues. The mystery readers were unveiled at an evening book fair on March 26.
Every student received a PARP packet with activities to complete, such as taking out a book from the North Bellmore Public Library, submitting to a photo contest, designing a bookmark and writing a book review. The bookmark contest will feature three winners – one each from grades K-2, 3-4 and 5-6 – and the winning designs will be printed and given out to students in their respective group.
Saw Mill Road students also shared their love of reading with others by holding a collection drive for the Book Fairies. They donated hundreds of new and gently used books for all ages, which will be distributed within under-resourced communities on Long Island and in New York City.
“I want other kids to learn how to read and enjoy the books I’ve already read and don’t need anymore,” third grader Nora Pierre-Louis said.
Sixth graders in Katelyn Hodkinson’s class helped out their kindergarten buddies at the book fair. They walked around with the youngsters to pick out books they would enjoy and add up totals to ensure they had enough money.
PARP week concluded with pajama day and Drop Everything and Read. Several times throughout the day, Principal Jeffrey Rosof made an announcement and all students and staff had to stop what they were doing and read a book. Children made sure to bring their books to special area classes like physical education, art and music, never sure when the moment was going to come.
