Happy Groundhog’s Day………….er, Valentine’s Day………….er, President’s Day………….er, Black History Month………….er, Superbowl Sunday. Whatever you are celebrating this month, my wish for you is that it is happy.
As I write this newsletter, we are one week into our Book Blast here at school and it has been very successful. 45% of students in grades PreK-8 have participated by sending out emails to family/friends. All those students received a small prize package, and their names are already in for the upcoming prize drawings. Any students who register at least 10 emails through February 8 will earn the small prize package and their name will be put in two nation-wide drawings: One for an “epic treasure chest” full of toys, the other for a trip to Disney!
Six of our classroom teachers in those grades have qualified for a $100 shopping spree through Book Blast because at least half their students have participated. Some of those same teachers are getting close to a $200 shopping spree because almost 90% of their class has participated. I have told the teachers if your child needs just one more name, please use my email. I would be glad to help a child get a prize for the sake of reading! (See below).
I like this program because every student in grades PreK-8 is guaranteed at least one book regardless of participation in the program. The generosity of Book Blast to guarantee that is amazing.
So, keep up the good work. Encourage your children to read, especially when these books arrive at the end of February (just in time for Reading Month)! And remember, there are all sorts of ways to read: Audiobooks, having older children read to younger children, grownups reading to children (what a great way to nurture those bonds!), picture books, and graphic novels to name a few. As our school counselor so wisely told us this week, get out of your head! Books are a great way to do that. Go visit another land, another time, another place. Go celebrate something. And be happy!
Heidi Quinn
Heidi.quinn@k12.nd.us
