Nanuet Elementaries Prep for Rockland Read-In

Reading and literacy is a constant push at the elementary level in Nanuet.

“The 100th day of school is coming up and it’s on Valentine’s Day,” said Miller Elementary Principal Betsy Smith. “On Friday, Miller will do Rockland Read In. It’s a meaningful way for the students to reflect on how much they do read and reading goals.”

Rockland BOCES School Library System sponsors this Read-In each year and participating schools determine creative ways to get kids reading.

Last year, Miller staff members dressed up as literary characters and at Highview, staff members were guest speakers during recess and there were special PA readings. Boces then tallies up total reading minutes for each school to award certificates of achievement.

Smith added that minutes read will be added up by classroom and for the entire school.

“There’ll be a barometer (of their minutes read). The children love to see their progress,” said Smith. She hopes to get students “wild” about reading with this year’s theme: Rumble in the Jungle.

Highview Elementary just finished a reading challenge called the Principal's Reading Challenge. Students were asked to read non-fiction books and enter it into the system with a book review to get homework passes.

With 75 percent of students participating, the elementary is keeping the reading momentum going with Rockland Read-In.

“We’ll begin Rockland Read-in the Wednesday (Feb. 22) after Presidents Day weekend,” said Highview Principal Barbara Auriemma. “I’m very excited because Highview has been recognized for the past three years.”