Buckeye elementary schools mark Right to Read Week

TILTONSVILLE -- Buckeye Local Schools' elementary buildings are ramping up some book-based fun as they mark Right to Read Week under way through Friday.

Buckeye South, Buckeye West and Buckeye North Elementary will hold fun learning events including literacy night with themed activities and Scholastic Book Fairs to sell literature and other merchandise.

South Elementary is offering some baseball-based fun with dress-up days, which kicked off with comfy clothes for "Prepare for the Game" on Monday; wearing favorite team attire for "Team Pride Day" on Tuesday; donning their favorite toppers for "Hat's Off to Reading" today; wearing black and gold for "Home Run Day" on Thursday; and going patriotic in red, white and blue for "Baseball is America's Game" on Friday.

The school will host its annual literacy night on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This year's theme is "Take Me Out to the Ballgame -- Reading is a Home Run," and organizers said there will be plenty for students and their families to do.

"This will be a very special event," said Jenny Potts, a kindergarten teacher and organizer. "We will kick off our reading program, and if kids read for 1,000 minutes, which is 20 minutes a day for two months, they will earn free tickets to watch a Washington Wild Things game."

In addition to activities, Potts said a special guest will attend to generate some excitement about reading, and there will be drawings for children to win books. The community is invited to attend, and there will be appearances by local softball and high school baseball athletes.

"It's a party to share that reading and learning can be fun," Potts continued. "Our ultimate goal is to give kids a book vending machine."

West Elementary in Adena is still planning activities for its weeklong celebration, which is slated for March 13-17.

Principal Brian DiCola said the school will follow a similar theme based on South's use of America's favorite pastime, and a literacy night event is set for March 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"We will have a book fair all week, and there will be literacy and other activities throughout the week," he commented.

North Elementary Principal Susan Nolan said her school will highlight Right to Read and Read Across America with a spirit week centering on Dr. Seuss tomes.

Monday featured "The Cat in the Hat" with kids donning fun caps; Tuesday includes "Oh, The Places You'll Go" by dressing in future career or college attire; today is "Wacky Wednesday" and features silly clothes that may be mismatched or worn backwards, followed by literacy night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday includes "Fox in Socks" with a silly sock day; and Friday concludes with "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish," where students wear red or blue and show their Panther pride.