Read-A-Thon 2014

Welcome to our annual celebration of reading, the YISS 2014 Elementary School Read-A-Thon. Our goal is to develop a lifelong love of learning and promote the enjoyment of reading through a variety of fun and educational activities. The theme this year is "Wizard of Oz - Ding Dong a Book is Read" and will begin on Monday, February 10 and will end on Sunday, March 2.

We want to encourage our children to read joyfully. All the events for this year’s Read-A-Thon circle around the theme, and of course the competition for prizes will be highlighted as well. Like last year there will be a school wide goal for minutes read. If the Elementary School students can collectively read a total of 555,000 minutes, Mr. Lazor and Mr. Garman have agreed to shave their heads at the Wrap-Up Assembly.

Main Events

Kick-off Assembly - Monday, February 10 in Auditorium

  • Watch the video of the skit performed by staff and students

Dad’s Club Movie Night - “Wizard of Oz - Ding Dong a Book is Read” – Friday, February 14

Ties into the theme for the Read-A-Thon.

Mystery Readers - Wednesday, February 12

All we can say is that it will be mysterious!

Pajama & Pancake Day and Snuggle Up with your favorite book - Wednesday, February 26

All students, teachers, administrative staff and parent volunteers are invited to come to school dressed in their PJs and enjoy a pancake lunch. You are welcome to “Snuggle Up and Read” your favorite book that day.

Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) Time

As an incentive to read, for the duration of Read-A-Thon, we are dedicating 20 minutes every day to Drop Everything and Read (DEAR). DEAR time is for everyone to read, adults and students in the school community. You can read anything you wish to; books, magazines, comic books, non-fiction, newspapers, etc. These 20 minutes count towards your reading log. PLEASE REMEMBER TO ADD 20 MINUTES TO YOUR CHILD’S READING LOG.

Caught You Reading

On Wednesdays during Read-A-Thon, PTO volunteers will go around with a camera to catch students reading. Students who are “Caught Reading” on camera will find themselves featured on the “Readers Wall Of Fame”.

Wrap-Up Assembly - Wednesday, March 12

All students, teachers, administrators will celebrate the end of Read-A-Thon and if the Elementary School collectively reads 555,000 minutes, Mr. Lazor and Mr. Garman will shave their heads. In addition, names will be drawn for Level 3 prizes.

What counts as reading?

The following can be counted as reading and can be recorded in reading logs:

  1. Silent reading by student

  2. Reading aloud by student

  3. Student being read to by another individual

  4. Listening to an audio book while the student follows the print (Kindergarten - Grade 2)

The following do not count as reading:

  1. Listening to an Audio book without following the print

  2. Watching video version of a story

  3. Reading textbook for homework purposes or reading textbook in class.

Incentives

This year’s Read-A-Thon will award prizes for the following categories:

A. Level 1 - Participation prize

Requirement: hand in at least 1 reading log

B. Level 2 Requirements:

Grade K read minimum of 150 minutes

Grades 1 -2 read minimum of 400 minutes

Grades 3-5 read minimum of 600 minutes

C. Level 3 Requirements:

Grade K read 700+ minutes

Grade 1-2 read 1500+ minutes

Grades 3-5 read 3000+ minutes

i . 3 names will be drawn out of all students meeting the above criteria to win:

    • xBox

    • iPad mini

    • Samsung camera

ii. 4 names will be drawn to win a chance to be:

    • 1 Principal for a day

    • 2 Assistant Principals for a day

    • 1 Librarian for a day

D. One class per grade with most minutes read – pizza party

Thank you in advance for your participation and for helping celebrate the joy of reading.

Jackie Kang and Aaron Simmons

ES Read-a-Thon 2014 Chairs