Junior high students maintain their reading over summer and observe National Read a Book Day

Post date: Sep 19, 2019 4:42:31 PM

Wells Junior High School has celebrated the fourth year of the Wells-Ogunquit CSD’s Summer Reading Program begun in 2016 to help motivate and support students to continue reading throughout the summer months and beyond. In this program, originally proposed by WOCSD Superintendent Jim Daly to the District’s school librarians, students can select the books that they want to read from a wide selection of titles.

“It’s a great opportunity for our kids over the summer,” said Superintendent Daly who expressed satisfaction over the reading program completing its fourth year. “Anytime we get a chance to encourage our students to read is a good thing,” he added.

Lynn Mercier is the librarian at WJHS. “While some students are more excited about reading than others, the program is something the students look forward to and enjoy, especially since they can keep the books,” commented Mercier who wants to credit, not only Superintendent Daly for his support, but the owner of Annie’s Book Stop in Wells, Francine Tanguay who orders and makes the paperbacks available.

“Francine has helped immensely with the Summer Reading Program by providing generous discounts and donating many of the books over the years,” added Mercier.

Also of note, September 6th was National Read a Book Day. At WJHS the day was celebrated this year by approximately 250 students who participated by visiting and reading in their school’s library. According to Mercier, students were excited to visit this “beautiful library space” again after the summer break.

The day began with Grades 7&6 ELA teacher Laney Yeomelakis encouraging students to check books out of the library and begin reading. Grade 6 ELA teacher Sarah Downs followed suit along with many other teachers keeping the library filled to capacity throughout the school day.

WJHS students who assisted their younger peers with book choices while visiting their school’s library on National Read a Book Day. This group is also representative of WJHS students who read books in this year’s Summer Reading Program