Students at Francestown Elementary School recently finished celebrating a month of reading.

When students returned from April vacation, FES began a read-a-thon. Throughout May, students recorded their minutes while in school and at home. Every day, FES had a “Drop Everything and Read” time, which encouraged students to have a book with them at all times so they were ready to read at a moment’s notice.

As students finished books throughout the month, they created bookmarks to share the title with their peers. The bookmarks were displayed in the hallways.

At the end of each week, mystery guest readers visited the school to read with students. Clues were posted in the hallways so students could guess who the mystery reader would be.

Beth Gibney, a former FES principal, read about a dinosaur that didn’t know she was extinct. Lauren Mann, a former FES teacher, read about three smart pigs. Officer Julianna Wigsten of the Francestown Police Department read about a child searching for a teddy bear.

Students read a total of 7,140 minutes and more than 600 books. FES celebrated the end of the Month of Literacy with a spirit week. Students picnicked with a good book, wore pajamas to cozy up with a favorite book, dressed as their favorite character and read to a favorite stuffed animal.

To complete the week of festivities, students and families gathered for a Literacy Night. Local author Susie Spikol visited FES to share her journey to becoming a writer. Students and families then traveled to different stations where they could read to Apollo the dog, create magnetic poetry, play games and do nature journaling.

Students were sent home with a gift bag containing activities to promote literacy during the summer, including information about the George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library’s summer reading program, reading bingo and games to play at home.

“Our Month of Literacy was an engaging way to promote the importance of literacy,” stated Principal Rachel Lunan-Hill. “We were able to build enthusiasm about reading and give families a fun way to read and practice literacy skills over the summer. Thank you to everyone who helped put this month of reading together for our students!”