BUZZING AROUND — Preschoolers at McKinley STEM Academy kicked off the annual One School, One Book program with a song and dance routine during literacy night festivities March 13. The 183 pupils will spend nine days reading “Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellafera,” by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — McKinley STEM Academy was all abuzz, as the school kicked off its One School, One Book program March 13.

The school held its annual literacy night event, which featured 183 students in grades kindergarten through fourth, along with their family members, who were invited to view the unveiling of this year’s story “Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera,” by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann.

Preschoolers began the celebration with a song and dance, while attendants had a chance to travel around the gymnasium visiting stations to make bee-themed play dough, Shrinky Dinks and keychains.

Those in attendance enjoyed cookies and refreshments.

Heather Hoover, SFA coordinator, explained pupils made “Bee Me” self-portraits and met with beekeeper Horacio Gonzalez of the Toronto-based organization Youth Bee Works Edenculture.

“This is our kickoff for One School, One Book,” Hoover told the crowd. “The children will be bringing home a copy of the book. Our students aren’t really exposed to expository text, but it has great illustrations, so moms, dads and grandparents can read along.”

The after-school event helped celebrate the book in which students will read and take part in further activities associated with the story during the next nine days. Trivia questions will be asked daily.

Hoover said reading teachers are sending home read-and-respond packets to complete, allowing children the chance to win prizes.

“Every day for nine days, we will select two students who completed the work and they will receive golden coins for the book vending machine,” Hoover noted. “Eighteen students will get the opportunity to receive a book.”

But the study of bees will continue long after the reading program concludes, as the school formed a partnership with Youth Bee Works. Hoover said program officials will visit the school and discuss beekeeping, while more projects involving pollination and nature will be discussed as part of the educational module.

“Youth Bee Works will bring its bee education program to the school, and we’re hoping to have bees on the premises over the next few months,” Hoover continued.

“We selected this book in the fall and always tried to make it circle back around,” she added. “We will start Nature’s Kingdom during our Maymester and will focus on pollination of plants, food sources and woodland creatures and insects. The students will continue to learn about bees, insects and habitats. We will work on our spring flowers in the greenhouse and the raised beds for vegetables.”

Hoover said the partnership with Youth Bee Works will include lessons from beekeepers, with the goal being to build upon the program in the coming years.