Highland Elementary School and Washington School in Crookston are currently holding Read-A-Thon fundraisers. One was conducted last year during COVID-19, as the schools were looking for a fundraiser that could be held regardless of if the students were in school or at home. The fundraiser was successful, so Highland PTO has decided to bring it back again this year.
The fundraiser began Monday of this week and will continue until Friday, November 12. The main goal of the Read-A-Thon is to raise funds that will benefit the students in their learning experiences and get students interested in reading. Highland PTO Secretary and Washington School Treasurer Lorri Capistran talked about a few ways the schools will use the donations received. “We are planning on using the funds received towards field trips in the spring, and we also will be purchasing school supplies for students who need them,” said Capistran. “Some teachers go out of their pocket to purchase supplies for kids, so we’re trying to help support them through that.”
Washington students don’t get as many opportunities to go on field trips, so the funds will go towards days and activities held at the school.
Each school day has a dress-up theme for the students, and Capistran talked about where the theme for this year came from. “We looked at Dr. Seuss’s books and figured out ways for the kids to dress up each day,” said Capistran. “For instance, next Wednesday is “Wacky Wednesday,” so the kids can wear wacky clothes such as wearing them inside out or having them not match. Monday will be “Fox in Socks,” so kids will be wearing mismatched socks. We are hoping that the kids are looking forward to some of these dress-up days.”
Along with the Read-A-Thon, students will be competing to read the most minutes of any classroom throughout the fundraiser. Amy Lessard is the Highland PTO Chair, and she talked about what the students are competing for. “This year, we thought we could get the kids more excited about reading by having a competition to see which classroom could read the most minutes,” said Lessard. “The grand prize for all grade levels for the classroom with the most minutes read will be a free book for each kid in the class. And then, the classroom in each grade that reads the most minutes will also get a root beer float party. It gets the kids excited about reading, and this is a good way to promote it.”
Capistran says the community has been great with donating and helping the schools raise necessary funds over the years. “I just want to say thank you,” said Capistran. “We have a very generous community, and this would not be possible without the support of all our parents and businesses in our communities, so for that, we just say thank you for supporting our students and schools.”
Donations for Highland can be made at www.read-a-thon.com/school/_44438 or mailed to Highland PTO – 801 Central Ave N – Crookston.
Donations for Washington can be made at www.read-a-thon.com/school/_44525 or mailed to Washington PTO – 724 University Ave – Crookston.
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