Read Across America Week
Fanwood/Scotch Plains Public Schools
“Diverse stories provide kids with different perspectives and help them see how others think and feel “– In words of Marley Dias – Ambassador and Founder of Read across America. This was never truer than the week of February 27th at JA Coles Elementary School.
Along with many schools across the country, Coles Elementary participated in the National Read Across America Week. Taking place every March, Read Across America is the largest US celebration of Reading, and aims to encourage children and teens to read through events and activities taking place at school.
Coles School staff members and Coles PTA delivered an incredible Read Across America Week to students, which promoted a theme of “Diversity in Literature.” The whole week was packed with diversity topics that were introduced to children at all grade levels. Friday, March 3rd, Coles welcomed Guest Readers for each classroom. These included many of our local leaders, including Dr. Mast, Scotch Plains-Fanwood Superintendent of Schools, Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo, Gina Berry from Fanwood Council, Fanwood and Scotch Plains police, Scotch Plains Fire department, Scotch Plains Library, JCC, John Mooney, Editor/Publisher of TAP into Scotch Plains and Fanwood as well as local authors and business owners.
A special part of the Coles Read Across America Week this year was “Change for Change,” a campaign conceived by Coles 4th grade student Ben Steinberg. Ben’s vision was to raise funds for more books focused on people with different disabilities. Coles PTA helped launch a campaign in partnership with Coles school for students to fill coin jars in their classrooms with extra change from home.
Upon the conclusion of this successful campaign, Ben, pictured here with Dr. Mast, said “No matter what their (people) age they can always make a change. Anyone can make a change no matter what they think, or if they have a disability, or look different, or are younger, they can always make a change. Never give up.”
Congratulations to Ben for leading a successful Change for Change campaign and thank you to all Coles Read Across America PTA volunteers, Scotch Plains and Fanwood community, celebrity guest readers, and Coles school for making this special week at Coles one to remember.
