CONWAY — Dressed up as various book characters, Conway Grammar School students celebrated the joys of reading on Wednesday as the school took part in Read Across America Day.
Students were invited to participate in various literature-themed activities as they explored the ways books relate to all aspects of learning.
“Books relate to all parts of life,” said event organizer and school Library/Media Specialist Kate Arsenault. “It’s really just a celebration.”
Held at Conway Grammar School for at least the five years Arsenault has worked there, Read Across America Day is a national initiative created by the National Education Association in 1998, which “focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone,” according to the organization’s website.
For Conway’s students, this meant starting the day with a reading of “Jabari Jumps,” a book by Gaia Cornwall about a boy who overcomes his fear of jumping off a tall diving board at the community pool. Arsenault said the school chose this book because it’s “really active” and could tie into various physical activities.
Following the reading, students marched through the halls and jumped on trampolines, scaled the climbing wall and rode on scooters as they traversed an obstacle course in the school’s gym.
Arsenault said Read Across America Day is one of the highlights of the year for students.
“They really look forward to it,” Arsenault said. “It’s great to see how involved the kids and staff have been.”
Sixth-grader Leonardo Musante said he was looking forward to the obstacle course and that the event is a way for everyone to connect.
“I think it’s a good way for the whole school to interact and everyone to have fun,” Leonardo said, adding that his favorite book is “Where the Wild Things Are.”
Fifth-grader Crosby Anderson said he, too, had been “really looking forward” to Read Across America Day, especially because the festivities were in person.
“I like that we’re not remote like last year,” he said.
Sixth-grader Maddie Storm said her favorite part was getting out of the classroom and spending time with friends.
“We don’t have schoolwork,” she said, “and I can hang out with my friends.”
Principal Kristen Gordon said Read Across America Day is a “fabulous” event and it was one of the “first big school events” the school has had since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“That’s the really special aspect of today,” Gordon said about all the students coming together again. “You can feel the excitement of the kids.”
Encouraging students to read is “one of our top priorities,” Gordon added, and Read Across America Day was a great way to usher school-wide events back in.
“This has been great,” she said. “We’re heading back to school celebrations.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.