The Reading Fire is Out of Control!

 

The Ken Garff sponsored reading program at Barnett Elementary officially kicked off Wednesday morning October 10th.  The school's theme is "Catch the Fire and Read" with ties into the Olympic games from this past summer.  Four class delegates were chosen from each class to march in at the beginning of the assembly: one delegate carrying high the light of learning and reading, and the other three carrying their favorite books.  As the Olympic march theme died down, in came Mrs. Gwen Spencer and Mrs. Lisa Peterson in the role of two Payson fire fighters responding to a tip-off that there was an out of control fire at the school.  As they began talking about fire safety, the talked about the importance of fire drills.  The "fire drill" that happened during the assembly consisted of teachers running down the aisle and chosen students throwing soft balls at them.  This amusement was followed up with the exciting announcement that if students turn in their October and November reading calendars, they will have the opportunity to throw waterballons at some teachers during the reading assembly in December.  As the fire drill ended, Mrs. Spencer and Peterson called for reinforcements to help in fighting the reading fire.  Accordingly, teachers dressed in different "disguises" to represent guest readers we will have come read to the winning classes at the school came up.  There will be athletes, doctors, city officials, military officials, etc. who will volunteer their time to come read to the winning classes each month as part of the grade level contests for which class in a grade level reads the most that month.  As our guest reader representatives sat down, the air became crackled with magic as Mr. Applegate regaled the school with spoof magic tricks and with the promise that if the school reaches it's goal by February or March, then a real magician will come to the school for an assembly. Several other teachers discussed the future rewards of reaching goals: winning bikes, iPods, books, games; having their "fire" be put out for good in May by being sprayed with water, and winning class trophies for the class in each grade level who wins the grade level competition each month.  However, the most important reward of this reading program is for students to catch the fire of reading and learn to love reading. Support the students and staff at Barnett by encouraging them to read everyday!