Ridgewood’s Reading Marathon

readingAlthough we read every night n my family–individually and together–I love when the Reading Marathon rolls around. Suddenly, reading becomes a big celebration that the whole community shares. At our elementary school, we look forward to this month for One Book, One School. The kids excitedly listen for questions about their book every Monday morning and try to be the first class to answer correctly. The town comes alive with events like the kickoff with Ben & Jerry Ice cream and Jim the Jester.

Participants track how many books and/or pages that they read during the month of February. Almost 3,400 students participate and the elementary schools have achieved close to 100% participation in past years!

reading marathon ridgewoodPreschool and kindergarten students can earn Gold Medals by reading 9+ books. Students in grades 1 through 5 who read 12+ books, or 500+ pages, and submit a parent-signed form by March 2 get free ice cream from Ben & Jerrys and have a chance to win other prizes. Sibel Berberoglu, owner of Ben & Jerry’s in Ridgewood,has supported the Marathon for the 11 years and generously donates 1000’s of scoops of free ice cream!

Middle school students who read 750+ pages and return parent-signed forms on time have a chance to win $25 gift cards, movie tickets or one of four Vermonsters, Ben & Jerry’s gargantuan ice cream sundaes. 

Not only does this month-long event encourage us all to read, it also raises money for books and media and programs like as Robotics, Mango online language learning service, Summer Reading Club and The Reel Voices Film Festival.

Participation in the Reading Marathon Fundraiser is free of charge, however families are asked to consider supporting the Ridgewood Public Library by making a donation of any amount.  Look for Reading Marathon forms to come home in your child’s backpack, at the Ridgewood Library or on the Library’s website: www.ridgewoodlibrary.org.

For more information, contact the Children’s Center at 201-670-5600 x110.


Karen Shares Her Favorite Books to Read Aloud with Her Kids.
the lost art of reading aloud

 


Come Witness Ridgewood Parents’ Talent at the 2017 Ridgewood Jamboree.
Jamboree2017


 A 9 Year-Old Reviews the newest in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
“I could read all of these books over and over and over again!!!”
diary wimpy kid


Looking for a Good Read? Check Out Our Review of The Goldfinch:
“I came to really like him–flaws and all.”
goldfinch-book


Jenny Lawson’s outrageous  life experiences will have you laughing out loud.
Let’s Pretend This Didn’t Happen.
let's pretend this never happened


Lamb Biryani: 

my favorite all-in-one Indian dish.
lamb biryani


Why is Turmeric so Good For You? tumeric


Try Our Yummy Chicken & Kale Casserole

chicken-kale-casserole

SHARE:  
Facebook Twitter Google Digg Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest StumbleUpon Email

Author: Heather Zachariah

Former Art Director for Home Magazine, Heather Leahy Zachariah, left her career in publishing after baby number number one. She now works from home as a freelance graphic designer and a chauffeur to her 3 busy kids. "Working on TipsFromTown has been a wonderful outlet for me. It renewed my love of publishing where I can design colorful, enticing pages online and allows me to share the things I love about being a mom." Heather grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a place that still is near and dear to her. " After living in Brooklyn for 18 years and studying Graphic Design at Pratt Institute, she now lives in the Jersey burbs. "I love living so close to NYC, but in my heart, I'm an Ohio girl."