Library
Both libraries give students access to computers for completing assignments and conducting research. The school subscribes to a number of online databases to facilitate research with peer-reviewed literature. The libraries’ considerable holdings are built with the school’s curriculum in mind.
It’s time for PCA's annual Read-a-thon! – how better to pass the winter than to get lost in a good book! Please encourage your child to participate in Read-a-thon, not only for the fun of it, but because it will help so much to boost their reading skills and also foster interest in reading as an activity. In fact, why not make it a family event?
What is Read-a-thon?
Read-a-thon is a themed reading program and a friendly competition between individual students, classes and grades. Read-a-thon is designed primarily to encourage students to read by means of incentives, challenges and fun events.
When does Read-a-thon start/end? Read-a-thon starts Saturday, February 2, and students may count reading points up to and including Sunday, March 3. Read-a-thon point folders (to record reading minutes) will go home in Peeks on Friday, Feb.1.
What counts?
Students may begin counting the minutes they read each day as of Sat., Feb.2. Reading minutes can include pleasure reading, in-class and out-of-class reading for homework, reading groups, reading buddies, e-books and audio books, magazines, reading to others, and being read to.
Reading on the Internet does not count unless a student can document the title of the article or online book and record the number of pages read. Therefore playing games, reading text messages, watching YouTube videos and reading Facebook posts don’t count! To encourage music practice, we also count the time spent reading music as part of practice, and the music teachers will discuss this with the students.
How do students track their reading time?
Grades K-2 - for every 10 minutes of reading/being read to = color in 1 circle in your folder =1 point
Grades 3-8 – for every 15 minutes of reading =color in 1 circle in your folder = 1 point
Objective – 100 points or more. Extra folders are available in the library when students fill up their first one.
Reporting your child’s reading minutes
Please make sure your child’s Read-a-thon folder (with their name on it!) comes to school on his or her library class day, so weekly progress can be recorded by library staff! If students forget, their points will be counted on their next library day.
Junior High students bring their folders on the following schedule: 6th grade – Monday, 7th grade-Tuesday, 8th grade – Thursday.
Parent sign-off
Read-a-thon depends on students’ honesty and diligence about accurately recording their reading time and reading materials. Students must record information on what and how much they read on the back of the folder. A parent/guardian must initial each of the items read, for greater accountability. The library may not accept a student’s points if he/she has not provided adequate documentation and an adult sign-off.
Please consider tracking your own reading to help our students win this year’s 750,000 minute Reading Challenge! (watch the Peek for a link to an easy online Survey Monkey form for that purpose.) Parent points will not count for their child’s individual reading or class challenges, but WILL count toward our efforts to meet this year’s reading challenge to the students!
