Welcome to our annual celebration of reading, the YISS 2018 Elementary School Read-A-Thon. Read-A-Thon is organized as a joint effort between the PTO and ES administrators at YISS. Our goal is to develop a lifelong love of learning and promote the enjoyment of reading through a variety of fun and educational activities. The theme this year is "Reading is Out of This World!" and will begin on Monday, February 19 and will end on Sunday, March 11.
We want to encourage our children to read joyfully. All the events during this year’s Read-A-Thon circle around the theme with prizes awarded for all participants. We want to encourage students to grow as readers in as many ways as we can. We will continue to carry on some of our RAT traditions and enjoy some new ones as well! And yes, if the elementary school students can collectively read a total of 772,018 minutes, Mrs. Roll, Ms. Falkner and Mr. Benedict have agreed to a pie throw at the Wrap-Up Assembly!
DEAR Time: 20 minutes of every school day has been dedicated as Drop Everything and Read (DEAR). DEAR time is for everyone to read, both adults and students in the school community. These 20 minutes count towards your reading log. We have included a column with the DEAR minutes for your convenience. Please add 20 DEAR minutes and “Minutes Read” when you calculate your child’s minutes for the reading log.
What counts as reading?
The following can be counted as reading and can be recorded in reading logs:
Silent reading by students
Reading aloud by students
Students being read to by another individual
Listening to an audio book if the student is also reading a copy of the book along with the audio
Reading any type of text and any genre if in balance (reading a variety of different types of texts): Comics, newspaper, magazines, books, articles, poetry, graphic novels, etc.
The following do not count as reading:
Watching video version of a story
Reading textbook for homework purposes or reading textbook in class.
Prizes
A. Level 1 Requirement:
Hand in at least 1 reading log
i. Participation Prize
B. Level 2 Requirements:
Kindergarteners must read 600+ minutes
1st-2nd graders must read 700+ minutes
3rd-5th graders must read 800+ minutes
i . Prize for reaching Level 2
ii . Chance to be pie throwers, if ES can meet the school wide goal of 772,018 minutes.
C. Level 3 Requirements:
Kindergarteners must read 1300+ minutes
1st-2nd graders must read 1600+ minutes
3rd-5th graders must read 2400+ minutes
i. Prize for reaching Level 3
ii. Chance to win raffle prizes
iii. Chance to be pie throwers, if ES can meet the school wide goal of 772,018 minutes.
iv. Chance to win Principal for a Day, 2 Assistant Principals for a Day, and Librarian for a Day.
D. Class Party
One class per grade with the highest average of minutes per student read – Choice of pizza or ice cream party
Main Events
Kick-off Assembly - Monday, February 19 in the Auditorium
Travel with a Good Book! Picture Competition - Monday, February 19 - Friday, February 23
ES Students/staff will be invited to submit a picture of their interpretation of how “Reading is Out of this World.” Students are encouraged to take pictures of themselves with a book on an adventure, perhaps traveling with a book, or how a book can make you feel like you are in a different world. Be creative! Pictures must be printed up and dropped off in the elementary office. Students may drop their entry off anytime between February 19 and February 23. These pictures will be displayed outside the ES Office and those individuals (students and staff) who submitted the best pictures will be awarded with a voucher for our Spring Book Fair in April.
Pajama & Pancake Day - Thursday, February 22
All students, teachers, and administrative staff are invited to come to school dressed in their pajamas and enjoy a pancake lunch. Students are encouraged to bring in a favorite book along with a pillow, a stuffed animal, and a blanket.
Dress Down Day “Space Day” - Thursday, March 8
In honor of our Read-A-Thon theme “Reading is Out of This World”, everyone is encouraged to dress in their best galaxy or space inspired outfits. Please no scary alien outfits!
Wrap-Up/Celebration Assembly - Friday, March 23
All students, teachers, and administrators will celebrate the end of Read-A-Thon and if the Elementary School collectively reads 772,018 minutes, Mrs. Roll, Ms. Falkner and Mr. Benedict have agreed to the Pie throw at the Wrap-Up Assembly. In addition, names will be drawn for prizes.
Thank you in advance for your participation and for helping celebrate the joy of reading.
For any questions, please contact Elementary Read-A-Thon 2018 Chairs, Christine Lee and Minsun Park at yiss.readathon@gmail.com.