By Gina Greco
Town of Webb Union Free School District elementary students reached their reading goal for Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) on Monday, March 16th.
“PARP is [typically] a four-week program that encourages parents to read with their children,” said Webb teacher Judy Ehrensbeck.
This year the session was only three weeks due to the scheduling of spring break, she said.
“We asked them to read fifteen minutes a day, five days a week,” Judy said.
If the students fulfill the objective, they will receive a theme-based prize for that week, she said.
“We want to encourage the love of reading and being a life-long reader,” said Webb librarian Kirsten Down.
“The overall goal is for 85 percent of the K–5 students to participate during all weeks,” Kirsten said.
This year’s PARP theme—“Reading is My Thing”—was modeled on Dr. Seuss.
Teachers decorated their doors based on the theme.
Students that read for all of the program’s three weeks were awarded a new book.
These books were funded through the Tom Bernatchez Young Scholars Fund.
During the finale on Wednes-day, March 18, the students were served lunch in the school’s cafeteria by Principle John Swick and Superintendent Rex Germer, who were costumed as Seuss characters “Thing One” and “Thing Two.”
Then, participants were welcomed at VIEW for a movie showing of Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat.”
And for the Grand Finale, Germer and Swick battled one-on-one in the Administrative Challenge.
This involved a short obstacle course with the kids watching and cheering.
“They are great sports about participating and getting the students excited,” Kirsten said.
Judy said there is also an annual button design contest with the winner’s design being handed out to students.
This year’s winner was Katie Case.
First, third and fifth grades had 100 percent participation in the PARP session just concluded, according to Judy.
“This year was a good program, very successful,” she said.