Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
Within the hearts of most teachers is the desire to share their knowledge with students and to help them reach their full potential.
Said Victor Hugo, ʺHe who opens a school door, closes a prison.ʺ
The staff at McCleary Elementary not only understands, but also supports this philosophy.
During the week of March 4 – 8, McCleary Elementary will host their Annual Scholastic Book Fair to help raise funds to purchase new books for the local library.
There will be special evening hours on Tuesday, March 5, and Thursday, March 7, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. for guests to join the students or to shop for others and themselves.
Added librarian Karen Jones, “Families, faculty and the community are invited to attend this fun reading event that helps inspire children to become lifelong readers.”
Students will also be able to shop at the fair during their library times.
This year, the Book Fair will feature a special “Grand” event on Thursday, March 7, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. “This is a special time for grandparents and other loved ones to come and celebrate reading with their student,” Jones said. “Coffee and donuts will be provided, and our guests will have an opportunity to take pictures with their loved ones.”
Jones noted that the book fair offers specially priced books, including popular series like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Minecraft, award-winning titles, new releases, adult bestsellers and other great reads from dozens of publishers.
Also, book fair customers may help the school build classroom libraries by purchasing books through the ‘Classroom Wish List’ program. Each teacher makes a list of books they desire to have in their individual classrooms and post it on the ‘Wish List’ board.
As family members and shoppers come in, they can look at the list and purchase a book for that particular classroom. “This has always been a great blessing to us as teachers,” many mentioned before adding, “We greatly appreciate every person who contributes to this program.’
Jones added, “The fair also gives kids access to good books, which will motivate them to read more. The Book Fair provides an opportunity for the community to get involved in a universal mission: To encourage kids to read every day so they can lead better lives.”
In addition, the Book Fair will feature the All for Books™ program, where students can share the thrill of reading with others by donating loose change to purchase books from the book fair for the school library. Scholastic Book Fairs® then matches those monetary donations with a donation of up to one million dollars in books from The Scholastic Possible Fund. The goal is $100 this year.
For more information, contact Jones at (540) 864-5173 or ksjones@craig.k12.va.us.
“The Book Fair is one of the most important events in our school calendar,” Jones noted. “It celebrates and encourages reading, which is vital to every child’s success in school, and in life.”
Their hopes are to sell $6,500 in books this year, however, Jones added that their heartfelt intent is to put over 800 books into the hands of children throughout the year.
