On Olympic read

Central Valley - The students of Central Valley Elementary participated in a Reading Olympics during February. Thanks to the generosity of the Central Valley PTA and Stewart’s of Washingtonville, the children were provided with special activities and opportunities to encourage a lifetime of learning. PARP (People As Reading Partners) is a state-wide reading program designed to encourage children to read at home with an adult for 15 minutes each day. “Opening ceremonies” were held on Feb. 10. The program ran for 12 days and centered upon the Winter Olympics. Different activities were held each day to promote reading and an appreciation of the Olympic tradition. Activities included a storytelling assembly, Olympic trivia and special theme days. On Feb. 22, a family night of reading, food and fun was held at CVE to close the program. Almost 500 children, parents and grandparents came to school in their pajamas with blankets and pillows for ice cream sundaes from Stewart’s and a night of reading together. More than 1,000 books were borrowed from the school library in the 90-minute time span. Central Valley Students won gold as a result of their reading efforts.