All Saints Students Fired Up To Read!!!!

Posted Wednesday, June 4, 2008

All Saints Catholic School in Manassas had a spectacular event in celebration of students reaching their reading goal as “Extreme Read 12,000” concluded. The students had gathered for what they thought would be the annual faculty/staff volleyball game against the eight graders. Instead Fr. Bob and Mr. Conroy arrived on the scene dressed in full firefighter gear with the local Manassas Volunteer Fire Company. What an entrance as the official Fire Ladder Truck pulled onto the school campus with sirens and flashing lights.

Students were charged with excitement as the principal and pastor proclaimed over the bullhorn that the students exceeded this year’s reading goal, earning over 12,000 Accelerated Reader points. They were “On Fire for Reading”! In a gesture to cool off the hot readers, firemen pumped up the fire hose and created a spiral of water in recognition of this year’s success of “Extreme Read 12,000”.

Students have been reading books all year long and taking computerized tests on the books that they read to earn the Accelerated Reader points. “Extreme Read 12,000” is a literacy program promoted by the library. The computer based program indicates that students read over 98 million words this year. What an accomplishment! School Librarian, Vickie Coyle commented that, “Not only do we know that students are reading, but they put forth the extra effort to follow through and take a test to verify their comprehension of the book. There are no points earned if a student does not pass a test!” After Mr. Conroy congratulated the students, the library staff handed out cool popsicles to simmer down the fired up readers. What a great way to end the school year and begin the summer by getting students fired up to read!