School Readathon Welcomes Community Participation

School Readathon Welcomes Community Participation

A.L. Horton Elementary School - Submitted

A.L. Horton Elementary students are diving into books in support of playgrounds.

For three weeks, students are collecting Readathon pledges as they work towards a reading goal. Families and neighbours are invited to sponsor students to read or, in the case of younger children, listen to someone reading. “It made sense to combine our school’s literacy goals with the fundraising society’s goal of raising money for the community playgrounds on site,” said principal Keri Busenius.

Principal Keri Busenius and students Becca Allan and Chailyn Gara found books about playgrounds just in time for the school Readathon.

(Gladys Menzak/Submitted Photo)

The school has three playgrounds and all are reaching the end of their lifespan within two or three years. Each playground replacement costs about $250,000.

The school’s fundraising group, Friends of A.L. Horton School Society, is hosting the Readathon. They’ve sponsored prizes for individual students and classes based on pledge amounts raised. Students who read a minimum of 15 days will also have their names entered into a draw for prizes. School staff have invited community members to share their reading lives.

“We’re asking adults and groups in the area to tell students about what they’re reading right now,” explained Busenius. Those who share thoughts on Twitter and Facebook are asked to use “#ALHreads” in their post.

Participants will have their names entered in a weekly draw for prizes sponsored by staff at the school. “These are community playgrounds and we are all readers,” noted Busenius. The Readathon runs until March 11.