District librarian Deana Mauck related that Watonga Elementary will celebrate the power and excitement of reading with a book celebration event for children at Elementary Library on Sept. 20 and 22 during parent teacher conferences.
At the book celebration event, Watonga Elementary will enable each child Pre-K to 5th grade enrolled at WES to choose at least four books to take home and own. The children will also celebrate reading by participating in engaging and inspiring reading activities throughout the week. Research has shown that when children have access to books they enjoy reading, they read more. And when they read more, they become accomplished readers. By providing children with choice and access to books and literacy resources Watonga Elementary hopes to create a culture of literacy in its community while working to give each child an opportunity to become a proficient and avid reader.
This book celebration event is part of Reading Is Fundamental’s Books for Ownership flagship reading program which enables children to select new, ageappropriate books to take home and own. The books are supported by resources for parents, educators, and volunteers to create a continuous focus on reading. This program relies on a simple yet fundamental truth: if you allow children choice and access, they will be more engaged readers. Over 40 million children nationwide have had the opportunity to experience the power and excitement of the Books for Ownership program and we are thrilled to offer Books for Ownership at Watonga Elementary.
Parents and caregivers can continue to encourage reading at home by visiting https://www.rif.org/literacycentral to find free reading activities, videos, parent guides, and much more.
“Reading Is Fundamental is committed to creating a culture of literacy in communities nationwide and ensure every child has the fundamental building blocks needed to achieve their highest potential. Reading is the necessary foundation for all children that puts them on the pathway for success,” says Reading is Fundamental President and CEO, Alicia Levi. “For over 50 years, Reading Is Fundamental has supported communities with the resources they need to impact children in their communities and we are excited to partner with Watonga Elementary to bring this program to Watonga, Oklahoma.”
At Watonga Elementary, we see each student as an individual who needs certain life skills to function in a diverse society without losing that individuality. Each day we strive to see that every individual grows mentally, physically, and aesthetically to the best of his/her ability. We accept the responsibility of aiding the development of each student into an adult who can think logically and learn continually, and thus be able to participate confidently while contributing meaningfully to our world.
About Reading Is Fundamental: Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is committed to a literate America by inspiring a passion for reading among all children, providing quality content to create impact, and engaging communities in the solution to give every child the fundamentals for success. As the nation's largest nonprofit organization for children's literacy, RIF has provided more than 415 million books to 40 million kids in all 50 states