February is Edmonds Elementary Schools Reading Month

Published 6:00 am Thursday, February 28, 2008

EDMONDS – Students arriving at Edmonds Elementary School Jan. 30 found Principal Shawna Rothaus sitting at a desk on the roof reading.

“I challenge you to read every day during our Read-a-thon. Will you accept this challenge?” she called out to students, parents, teachers and bus drivers.

“I’d do anything to help kids get excited about reading. You can read anywhere, and I wanted to show them that.” She chose a big book by Richard Scarry so that students could read the pages with her. One student was heard to explain to his friend, “The Read-a-thon is starting today, so that means it’s happy Principal on the Roof Day.”

“Our goal is to have every student read every day during the month of February,” said Edmonds Elementary school librarian Paul Borchert. “Imagine if the whole community read every day, too. That would be the best possible gift to our children.”

Many more activities are planned each week during the Read-a-thon to remind students to read every night at home. The ending event is an award ceremony at 1 p.m. March 3 at the Edmonds Public Library, 650 Main St. Students who reach the top goal will receive an individual trophy, and shake hands with Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson, Edmonds Public Librarian Edith Farrar, and the Cat in the Hat. The winning classroom will receive a book shopping spree for the classroom library supported by the Edmonds Bookshop.

A Family Reading Night is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 20, witha pajama-and-bedtime story theme.

Mayor Haakenson has issued a declaration that February be known as Edmonds Elementary Schools Reading Month. Many parents in the community have helped in the planning and fun of this event.

The Read-a-thon is supported by the parent groups of the schools, Alfy’s Pizza, Edmonds Bookstore, Edmonds Bakery, with thanks to Edmonds Sno-Isle Librarian Edith Farrar and Mayor Haakenson.