Photos by Portia Williams | Daily Times
Students on Monday release balloons into the air in celebration of Right to Read Week.
Mayor David Malone and two Portsmouth Elementary students perform the ribbon-cutting for the kick-off of Right to Right Week.
Portia Williams | Daily Times
Portsmouth Elementary students gather in gymasium Monday for the kick-off of Right to Read Week.
PORTIA WILLIAMS
PDT Staff Writer
More than 1,000 students gathered in the main gymnasium Monday at Portsmouth Elementary to kickoff the annual Right To Read Week. The massive crowd full of bright, young faces as well as teachers, administrators and the superintendent were amongst the group. Guests including Mayor David Malone, and members of the Portsmouth Fire Department. The mayor opened the event with a proclamation from the City of Portsmouth, formally declaring May 7-11, Portsmouth Elementary Right To Read Week.
Portsmouth Elementary Principal Dana Pollock said she was optimistic about the week-long event
“This is something that we work on every year to encourage the kids to read and to become fluent readers. What we’re doing this week is influencing the kids to drop, anchor and read, that’s our theme for when they hear the ocean music over the intercom in the building. When they hear the music they are to stop whatever they are doing, open up a book and read.
The event started and Monday, and it will run through Friday, Pollock said. The event will end with a carnival.
Outside the school building on Monday, Pollock gave the countdown, and then students released balloons into the air. Many of the students cheered and laughed as the host of balloons ascended.
“I have been challenged to let the top reader from each classroom throw a water balloon at me on Friday. I gave them a challenge to read 50,000 pages, and there are over a thousand students in this school, so I think it’s very, very possible that they will meet that challenge. Reading makes a huge difference. The better readers they are, the better they will be across the board in every subject, ” Pollock said.
Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234, or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com.
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