Washington and Highland Elementary Schools will start their Read-A-Thon campaign beginning Monday, November 6, in hopes of fundraising for future field trips.
Before Read-A-Thon, Highland School hosted an annual PTO bingo event to fundraise money for field trips until COVID-19 ended the event abruptly. The PTO helps subsidize outgoing charges to parents for field trip expenses.
“I think this transitioned for a lot of schools to go to a Read-A-Thon,” said Highland Elementary School Principal Chris Trostad, “There are companies that set all of them up online because it’s very easy to go online and donate. We sent two buses to Grand Rapids last year, and it was almost $3,000. You divide that by 80 kids now; parents can afford that.”
Trostad also mentioned this campaign being a tremendous help in funding the Itasca field trip the students take yearly, which costs approximately $5,000-$6,000.
The money raised during Read-A-Thon gets distributed to both schools, and it’s based on how many minutes each student reads. “It’s kind of nice to know the money is going toward educational purposes,” said Trostad, “Kids are reading to generate money through this fundraiser.”
Students with email addresses can invite people (typically family members) to join this event and donate to it. Teachers will also send out QR codes to parents and community members.
If you want to donate straight to the Read-A-Thon, both schools will accept cash or check donations or drop-offs. The school you donate to will receive 100% of those donated funds.
Washington Elementary School Principal Denice Oliver believes students enjoy this campaign because of how much reading is involved and often includes their favorite books.
“At Washington School, we have the little people of the district, so they don’t necessarily know how to read yet,” said Oliver, “So their part of the Read-A-Thon is for someone to read to them. Just the idea for them to cuddle up with a good book with an important person in their life makes it a very fun experience for them.”
The Read-A-Thon campaign will consist of six themed days for both schools, allowing students to dress accordingly and bring literature catered for those events. “I think one of the favorites for these events would be the bedtime story day,” said Oliver, “They get to wear their pajamas or bring their teddy bear and their favorite book.”
Oliver also mentioned the “Reading is Everywhere” theme day, where students wear shirts that classmates can read. Oliver believes this event is especially popular at Washington School because kindergartners just learning to read enjoy seeing words they are familiar with.
Although the Read-A-Thon benefits both schools with funding, it also benefits the students and their path to reading. Oliver explained that it also helps bring families together and gives parents a chance to connect with their children through books deeply.
“I remember when my son was growing up many years ago, one of the things we always did was read a book at night,” said Oliver, “It was one my favorite times with him, and sometimes I’d even fall asleep, and he’d have to wake me up and tell me to reread it. But we’re so relational with our kids, and I think reading a book together is one of the most special times you can have with your kids. That’s what makes this special.”
All of the themed events for Read-A-Thon are listed below-
Monday, November 6, is “Cat in the Hat Day.” Students will be encouraged to wear hats and stripes to school.
Wednesday, November 8, will be “Color Day.” Students will be encouraged to wear a color that makes them happy.
Friday, November 10, will be “Favorite Book Day.” Students can dress up as their favorite book characters and bring their favorite books to school.
Monday, November 13, will be “Reading is Everywhere Day.” Students will be encouraged to wear a shirt classmates can read.
Wednesday, November 15, will be “Wacky Wednesday.” students will be encouraged to wear wacky, inside-out, or backward clothing to school.
Friday, November 17, will be the final event of Read-A-Thon titled “Bedtime Story Day,” where students can wear pajamas to school and bring their favorite bedtime stories.
