Highland Elementary School in Crookston is nearing the end of its Read-A-Thon fundraiser. The goal is to get students more engaged in reading while raising some money for students who can’t afford field trip costs later in the school year.
Highland Elementary School Principal Chris Trostad said he has been impressed with how much reading the students have done. “We have some classes that have really jacked up the reading,” said Trostad. “Mrs. Davidson’s class is leading the way with 8,486 minutes read, then we have Mrs. Heppner’s class with 7,965, followed by Miss Aaker’s class with 7,390, then we have Mrs. Stegman’s class next with 6,525, and Mrs. Thelen’s class has read 5,963 minutes. We also have some students that have made some incredible goals. We had one student set a goal to read for 1,000 minutes the first week, and then the second week is 2,000 minutes. So, some pretty incredible things are happening.”
The class that reads the most minutes through the two-week fundraiser will win $100 that can be spent on books, and the class at each grade level that reads the most minutes will receive a root beer float party.
Trostad said getting students to read benefits their reading skills and can help in other areas of their learning, making this fundraiser a win for both the students and the parents. “It rewards kids for reading, and as we all know, the more kids read, the better they’re going to do on their tests,” said Trostad. “When you get a math problem on the MCA’s, it’s probably two-three paragraphs long. So there is a lot to read, and assessments have changed drastically, and it’s a lot about reading these days. When a kid commits to reading, it is incredible to see their growth in all areas of their schooling.”
In total, 99,192 minutes of reading have been done just by Highland students. Washington School is also participating in the Read-A-Thon fundraiser, and money raised for their school will go towards activities and events held at the school.
Highland has raised $4,572 so far and will continue to try and raise money for the students to go on future field trips. 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.
The fundraiser will wrap up this Friday, November 12.
