Idaho Hill students 'Read Across America'
Haley Braae, a Priest River Lamanna High School girls varsity basketball player, reads to students at Idaho Hill Elementary in the Read Across America on March 3.
Photo courtesy IDAHO HILL ELEMENTARY
Haylee Jepson, a member of the Priest River Lamanna High School girls varsity basketball team, reads to students at Idaho Hill Elementary on March 3 as part of Read Across America.
OLDTOWN — Students at Idaho Hill Elementary celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday in the annual “Read Across America” program Monday, March 3.
The West Bonner County School District students, grades kindergarten through sixth grade, had special guest readers in their classrooms, including school board trustees Paul Turco and Kathy Nash, as well as high school varsity girls and boys basketball players. Boys head coach Kevin Wylie and girls head coach Tyler Douglas were also in attendance.
“Our guest readers rotated from class to class, reading to our students for approximately 15 minutes per rotation,” Loretta Glazier, Idaho Hill principal, said.
Glazier said the students were engaged and excited to see who would be reading to them next.
“The high school basketball players were phenomenal with our students,” she added, “and contributed in such a positive way. I was really impressed with them.”
Students took part in an activities with the two coaches as well as varsity player Palmer Coleman in the gym. If students were able to identify and pronounce a grade level sight word correctly, they could move forward in the obstacle course that we set up in advance.
“We wanted students to enjoy the station while still focusing on student learning,” Glazier said.
Idaho Hill Elementary received a grant through Community Assistance League where school officials are been able to purchase books and provide free book giveaways throughout the year. This year, every student received two free books during Read Across America. The Idaho Hill principals said that school librarian and parent volunteers were in the library to help students find “just right” books for them. This ensured students chose books at their reading level.
The goal is to motivate district students to read more, develop a love for books and reading, and to create their own library at home, Glazier said.
Haylee Jepson, a member of the Priest River Lamanna High School girls varsity basketball team, reads to students at Idaho Hill Elementary on March 3 as part of Read Across America.