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Readers rejoice for Write to Read
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Second grade students got to participate in Write to Read Week at Stadium Drive Elementary School on May 12. Pictured from the left are Drew Kornbau, Michael Demetrios, Dominic Krol and Rayan Lamharhar reading under the planets and stars.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Prince Charming, Jimmu Lipjanic, silently read his book by the "moat" at Stadium Drive Elementary School for Write to Read Week.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Pictured from the left are "princesses" Kaitlyn Greenaway and Autumn Farrell reading by the pyramids in the Egypt section of the themed hallway on May 12.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Debbie Seifert (left) and Lisa Cooper dressed up as Dopey and Sneezy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves as part of Write to Read Week at Stadium Drive Elementary School.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.On May 12 of Write to Read Week, Sophia Martin (left) and Ava Freeborough rested in a pool by the beach station in the hallway at Stadium Drive Elementary School.
By amanda tonoli
Stadium Drive Elementary School celebrated Write to Read Week from May 11 until May 15. During this week, the school welcomed all kinds of guest speakers to come speak with the children about the importance of not only reading, but also writing as a literary whole.
Lisa Cooper, reading specialist, played a special part in this set-up, ensuring different activities and fun for the students after weeks of testing.
Provided in the hallways and doorways at the school were settings related to the literature offered at each station to connect the reading to a place or culture. Teachers around the school selected the settings according to things they worked on or were currently working on throughout the school year. Other parent volunteers and members of the Parent-Teacher Association helped decorate the settings for this special week.
Cooper said that events such as these are important to maintain because all of the new tests and technology in the education system today are requiring students to read in preparation, rather than for fun.
“Those things are taking kids away from books,” Cooper said. “I’m sure that wasn’t the intent, but the bottom line is that’s what’s happening. We don’t want to lose these kids.”
Debbie Seifert, second-grade teacher, said she liked having people come and tell the students how they use reading, even if they didn’t enjoy it when they were younger.
“It’s nice to share with the kids how important reading is as they continue to grow,” Seifert said.
Girls on the high school swim team came as part of the guest speaking venue, talking to students about the importance of reading and doing well in school in correlation to playing sports.
“Kids really like the guest readers,” Seifert said. “It’s nice for the people from the community to come and give up their time.”
Overall, Seifert said Write to Read Week encourages in students a love for reading and writing.
“I like this, I like the kids having this extra time to read,” Seifert said. “It’s a great thing to have them come up here and enjoy themselves.”
The name “Write to Read Week” was changed from “Right to Read Week” at Stadium Drive to incorporate both literary elements. The event was also moved to the week of May 11 to be after testing dates as a treat to read for fun for the hard-working students.