Golden Terrace Elementary Intermediate School students get a special treat this week, thanks to media specialist, Tiffany Weeks: a “Power Up With Reading” Pep Rally will be held on October 13th, and it’s set to get the kids cheering about reading while challenging them to explore more books. K is for Kids will be there giving GTEIS another reason to cheer: every student who takes the pledge to participate in the reading challenges may choose a free book to take home and keep. The pep rally, the second for Weeks, has proven to be a unique, yet powerful way to motivate the school’s youngsters to pick up more books and read what’s inside. If this pep rally is anything like last year’s, it promises to make a powerful impact on these children who are amongst Collier County’s most economically needy (almost 92% of the students are enrolled in the district’s lunch assistance program). The theme, “Power Up With Reading,” reflects the mission.
Tiffany Weeks, GTEI Media Specialist and 'Super Hero' with books for students to select, take home and keep.
“To inspire my students to read more books last year I organized a pep rally for them. It was a huge success. I came to the assembly dressed as a super hero.” Weeks told the students that she got her power from books. “I told them that I had the power of READING. Then I introduced the kids to books that I would be challenging them to read.” After the pep rally Weeks said that many of the students rushed to the media center to check out the new titles. “It was wonderful to see the students so excited about reading.” Weeks library records reflect that the number of books checked out by students increased dramatically last year.
Inspired by Weeks’ creative efforts, GTEI has been selected by K is for Kids to be the focus school for its pilot program. RISING READERS will be introduced to students at the pep rally. The Foundation also will be handing out another incentive to help get the kids excited about visiting their school library: all students who take a pledge to participate in Weeks’ reading programs will be able to choose a brand new book to take home and keep, courtesy of K is for Kids. The Foundation will also help provide new books for students to claim as their own as they continue to reach their reading goals.
“The best incentives,” explained Weeks, “are often new books that the children get to take home and keep. That’s where K is for Kids Foundation has come in to help bolster our efforts and give students more books to read.”