OSWEGO, NY – There’s “boot camp” to expand physical fitness.
However, the Kingsford Park Elementary School has instituted “book camp” which focuses on academic fitness.
Recently the students were scheduled to go outside with the partners and enjoy reading. However, inclement weather forced the students inside. Hallways and classrooms were filled by students anxiously wanting to read. The sounds of the words from a variety of books filled the air.
This effort started a year ago as teacher Patty Dixon noted, “Karen DeRitter, Christie Stepien and myself were discussing how to get students to begin reading earlier in the school year. With the support of the KPS Home and School Association we hosted this again to quickly get students back into the habit of reading ‘good-fit’ books on a daily basis.”
The “camp” commenced on Sept. 14 as 20 minutes of uninterrupted daily reading time was provided each day.
Children were celebrating healthy minds and healthy bodies as the readers devoured fresh apples which partaking in their favorite books.
However, Dixon noted, “Not only were there refreshments available, but home and school provided a new book for everyone involved.”
Dixon said, “This is a great event. We had ‘book buddies’ together with other classrooms and we totaled well over 4,000 minutes of reading as we continue to promote the importance of having a good book.”
The Sept. 28 celebration culminated the kickoff, but reading continues to be an integral part in the literacy program throughout the Oswego City School District.
The “book camp” was something very new and enjoyed by students and teachers at Kingsford Park Elementary School.
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