‘They Were Challenging Themselves To Read So Many Pages Per Night’
York SuperStars lived up to their name, nearly doubling the number of pages read in their second Reading Makes A Difference Jester Read-A-Thon.
Principal Abi Morales and TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) Mandy Richardson praised their SuperStars for reading 122,809 pages, significantly besting last year’s 68,234 pages read.
“They were challenging themselves to read so many pages per night,” said proud fifth-grade teacher Kenya Smith, whose students were applauded for being the top-reading classroom in the school, with 43,620 pages logged.
Joining Principal Morales and Ms. Richardson in congratulating the SuperStars at the Capstone Awards Assembly was Venice Family Clinic Volunteer Services Manager Stephanie Barreiro. She praised the SuperStar readers for reading so much to generate the donation of Jester books and dolls to two local Venice Family Clinics. “Patients at our Maxine Waters Health & Dignity Center and HSD Health and Wellness Center at York and Zela Davis Elementary Schools will find a lot to smile about because of your kindness,” she said.
Students, parents and teachers joined administrators in applauding their SuperStars. “The award ceremony is motivational for the students,” observed first-grade teacher Sondra Stotesbury.
York SuperStars Live Up to Their Name
Funded by the Henry L. Guenther Foundation, York SuperStars in Hawthorne, CA, shone brightly in their first Jester & Pharley Reading Makes A Difference Read-A-Thon. Their Awards Assembly capped a new collaboration among the Hawthorne School District, the Venice Family Clinic and The Jester & Pharley Phund.
Students had excitedly joined a Jester Read-A-Thon to donate Jester books and dolls to the Venice Family Clinic’s Maxine Waters Health and Dignity Center on York’s campus. Children treated at the clinic will receive Jester books and dolls generated by the Read-A-Thon.
Students, teachers, administrators and parents cheered loudly as Hawthorne School District Superintendent Dr. Brian Markarian handed a copy of the bilingual English/Spanish Jester Has Lost His Jingle book to the top reader of every classroom. And to 4th grader Dominik V., the school’s top reader, he handed a special prize – a Jester & Pharley book backpack.
Faye Norman, senior development manager of the Venice Family Clinic, and Phund President Barbara Saltzman, joined Dr. Markarian in awarding reading prizes to the York SuperStars.
Altogether, students read a total of 68,234 pages in their three-week Read-A-Thon. “I am so proud of every student participant,” Dr. Markarian said, leading enthusiastic applause.
Third-grade teacher Sara Kaplan noted that a few of her students read over 1,000 pages in just one week, a sterling accomplishment.
“We are excited to start this exciting new chapter in growing student empathy and literacy in the Hawthorne School District and making it possible for so many young Maxine Waters Health and Dignity Center patients to find special smiles with Jester books and dolls,” said Saltzman.
