Jefferson Somerset inspires students to read through the “Book It” Program

Story Courtesy of Michael McMinn

Jefferson Somerset Elementary students are participating during the months of October through March in the "Book It” program, sponsored by Pizza Hut.
The mission of this program is to turn "have to read" into "want to read." Each classroom teacher, from kindergarten through fifth grade, will set a monthly reading goal for each child. Students will take home books and a Reading Log to read with their parents.
The parents will sign off each night that they have read with their child. Once the student reaches his monthly goal, the class celebrates the child's reading accomplishment, and each child who reaches his goal also receives a Reading Award Certificate and free personal pan pizza certificate.
The students who meet their monthly goal for each month, October through March, will celebrate with an end of the year pizza party at the school.
Jefferson Somerset faculty and staff seek to provide a quality and well-rounded education while focusing on the fundamentals that every child should know and can know by the time they leave school to continue on into the career world, further education and adulthood. Reading is one of those fundamentals, and reading skills help them learn and grow but also develop their creative mind and spur on their imaginations.
As with all their curriculum, Jefferson Somerset is embracing their year-long theme and challenge of #RisingToTheChallenge.
They are rising to the challenge of raising the bar of literacy for the children of Jefferson County.
They are rising to the challenge to read to children in order to set the example and are rising to the challenge to change students’ mindsets from “I have to read” to “I want to read” and even “I get to read.”
Reading is a privilege, but it is a privilege that anyone and everyone can and should aspire to.
Jefferson Somerset's staff recommend reading aloud with young children — whether in the classroom, at home or in the community. This builds literacy and language skills and provides positive reading experiences that instill a love of reading. Children with strong literacy and language skills are more likely to succeed in kindergarten, and a love of reading can foster a love of learning that will benefit children for years to come.