Hitting the books is elementary Russell School reading program a success
By Naomi Morrison
Gray--The reading incentive program at Russell School
has become an unexpected hit among the students, faculty
and parents.
Russell School Principal Dan Joseph introduced the
Panther Paw reading program this year. The program
is modeled after a reading program in Windham. One
of the personal commitments he made after accepting
the principal position at Russell was to focus on
literacy. Right, Tyler Dains, age 6, from Mrs.
Cleveland's class at SAD 15's Russell School, read
for over 1200 minutes in November. The School is participating
in a read-a-thon as part of their ongoing Literacy
program. The Monument: Jeanne Adams photo
"We want them [the students] to read for the
benefit of the reading," said Mr. Joseph, "and
we want the parents to read with them for the benefit
of the relationship."
Practicing what he preaches, Mr. Joseph spends 35
to 40 minutes a night reading with his children who
are both at the elementary age. He said he is so pleased
with his experience and sees what reading has done,
and continues to do, for his own children; therefore,
as principal, he wanted to do something that encouraged
other parents to do the same.
And he certainly has. As of the end of December, there
were 215,907 minutes of reading logged between the
130 to 140 children who participate in the program.
There are about 200 students at Russell. Each month
the students are given a blank calendar where every
minute of reading is recorded in the daily blocks.
The parents sign it at the end of the month and the
students submit the form.
"I didn't think it was going to be as big as
it is," Mr. Joseph said.
Anyone who visits Russell School can see how huge
this program is by viewing all the "READ"
panther paws taped to the wall outside the office.
There's a different color for each milestone with
the student's name written on it.
Each month the auditorium fills with the excited students
who are recognized for their hours of reading. The
cheering and encouragement for each
student as their names are called is beyond enthusiasm.
Mr. Joseph said that watching those children applaud
for others who have done well is one of the more rewarding
parts about this program. Left, Mr. Joseph at the
assembly. Monument: Jeanne Adams photo
Rewards are given to the students as they achieve
each of the five milestones. At five hours a student
receives a certificate, book mark and a happy face
star sticker that says "I was caught being good."
At 10 hours, a student receives a certificate, panther
paw pencil and a sticker. A certificate and a book
from a selection chosen by Mr. Joseph are offered
after 15 hours. When a student reads 20 hours they
are invited to popcorn and a movie in the library.
And, at 25 hours, a student is invited to an ice cream
party.
Last month 24 students made it to the ice cream party
and 34 to the movie. After January's assembly, 85
books will have been handed out. These rewards are
funded largely by book fair money, Boxtops for Education
(a General Mills donation) and the commission the
school receives from yearly photos. Mr. Joseph said
that the money is accounted for so that it can go
directly back to the students.
To Mr. Joseph's surprise, one of the perks of reaching
those milestones is apparently spending time with
the principal. Mr. Joseph attends the ice cream and
movie parties and delivers all the rewards during
the Panther Paw assembly. He also goes to every classroom
once a month and reads to the students. Having been
a High School principal, Mr. Joseph said he is amazed
at how excited the students are about being with "the
principal."
"They really think it's a cool thing to hang
out with the principal," he said with astonishment.
For Mr. Joseph, he said this program promotes positive
recognition for students who are doing well. For the
most part, principals spend much of their time with
the troublemakers. Not in this case, because the hardworking
students are equally noticed by the teachers and administrators.
Another program that is incorporated into the assembly
involves a theme. This month the theme was self control.
Each month the teachers nominate two to three students
who are recognized with a panther paw that has the
theme printed on it, a panther paw pencil and a certificate.
Any student who embodies the theme, at anytime during
the school year, can receive a panther paw. Mr. Joseph
said the students are so proud of themselves that
they attach the paper paws to their shirts like pins.
Mr. Joseph's focus for next year is having a 100 percent
participation rate in the reading program. Currently,
approximately 65 to 70 percent of the students are
active in the program. The other 30 to 35 percent
of the students don't hand in their calendar.
"My fear is these are the kids that really need
it," said Mr. Joseph.
He would also like to find a way to recognize the
parents. Without their participation, this program
would not be as huge a success, he said, because "It
takes a village to teach a child how to read."
Since this is the first year of the program, there
is no data on the benefits to the students. What is
apparent, however, is the partnership the teachers
have with the students. At the end of this school
year, Mr. Joseph will meet with the teachers and discuss
how they feel this program worked or didn't work and
what suggestions they may have for the next school
year.
each
student as their names are called is beyond enthusiasm.
Mr. Joseph said that watching those children applaud
for others who have done well is one of the more rewarding
parts about this program. Left, Mr. Joseph at the
assembly. Monument: Jeanne Adams photo