Read-A-Thon Raises Level of Fun, Discussion in Reading

The annual Read-A-Thon at the Amherst Regional Public Elementary Schools is more than just a chore that children must accomplish. This year at Fort River the Read-A-Thon has been taken to new heights, complete with some healthy competition between grades to read the most books.

Each school has its own similar version of the Read-A-Thon, which raises money through pledges made for the amounts of pages or books read by each student. Each student keeps a list of each book or of how many pages they have read. Most of the money raised goes back to areas of the school that need it most through the PGO (Parent/Guardian Organization). However, at Fort River, the emphasis is solely on the reading.

“Studies show that reading over the summer improves academic performance at the beginning of the year,” said Dr. Jacquelyn Reilly Kang, parent coordinator of the event.