District summer reading program to be repeated and expanded in 2017

Post date: Oct 18, 2016 12:47:23 PM

Over the summer of 2016, fifth through seventh grade students at Wells Junior High School and third grade students at Wells Elementary School participated in a district summer reading program to help motivate and support them to continue reading throughout the summer months and beyond.

The idea for this initiative was that of Superintendent Jim Daly who suggested it last spring to librarians Lynn Mercier at WJHS and Karen Westerberg at WES. A plan was soon formulated and enough books were purchased to get the program quickly off the ground.

At the junior high, Mercier purchased roughly 500 requested and/or popular paperback books of varying titles so that participants could select and take home at least two titles that interested them. The WJHs students dubbed themselves “The Route One Readers.”

At WES, about 90 third graders received a book from Westerberg entitled The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. These now fourth grade students are continuing the program as teachers are currently using the book as a “read-aloud” in class.

“It wouldn’t have happened without Superintendent Daly’s support,” said Mercier of the reading program. “The kids were very happy.” She added, that Superintendent Daly has already indicated that he wants to continue and expand the program for the summer of 2017.

Mercier wishes to thank not only Superintendent Daly but also Francine Tanguay of Annie’s Book Stop in Wells for their generous support in making this summer reading program successful. Westerberg, who purchased books for the elementary students through Nonesuch Books added, “I would like to thank Superintendent Daly for making our summer reading project possible and we look forward to doing it again next year.”

From left to right are members of WJHS’s “Route One Readers” now current sixth grade students: Tyler Hunter, Adam Shaikh, Keenan Campbell, Grady Roy, Hunter Roberts, Kourtney Kenyon, Emily Kenney, Librarian, Ms. Lynn Mercier, Lily Tomaszewski, Belle Norton and Kelci Nguyen. These students were among the hundreds who participated in the summer reading initiative.

From left to right are elementary students Jessica Palmer, Cooper Bourque, Cali Leighton and Librarian, Karen Westerberg.