Fort Meadow Principal Joanne Hentnick takes a turn reading “The Pigeon Needs a Bath” to Mary Vassallo’s pre-school classroom. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – On Wednesday, 45 volunteers visited the six elementary schools and Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center to Reach Out and Read (ROAR) to the youngest students in the district. Organized by VIPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) coordinator Tiny Macy, the readers brought new books donated by Shurtleff Children’s Services and read them to children in preschool to grade 2, before presenting the books to the schools for their libraries.
Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, Chamber of Commerce Exec. Director Kate Phelon, and many city and district employees and VIPS volunteers spread out throughout the district to the delight of the listeners.
VIPS volunteer Sarah Timmerman reads to Fawn Busby’s preschool class. (Photo by Amy Porter)
In Fort Meadow, VIPS volunteer Sarah Timmerman read “Pig the Winner Pug” by Aaron Blabey, about a pug who had to win at everything, but learned his lesson after getting into some trouble in a kibble-eating contest, to Fawn Busby’s preschool class. “He likes to win, and he does it by cheating,” Timmerman said about the book.
Temperance Freeman and Benjamin Madsen show concern for Pig the Pug’s dilemma. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Timmerman, whose youngest child graduated from Fort Meadow last year, said she misses the school, but still comes back to volunteer. “It’s a wonderful little school. I love it!” she said.
Theresa Allie read a lively story to Heidi Hiner’s class, called “There’s a Dragon in your Book,” by Tom Fletcher, which captivated the attention of the preschoolers.
Volunteer Theresa Allie read “There’s a Dragon in your Book” to the delight of preschooler Antonio Sanchez and his class. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Following the reading, Allie, who works in the business office for the school district, said, “I want you to promise me that you’ll love, love, love books, and try hard, hard, hard to read.”
“I’ll keep trying forever until I learn how to read,” said Andrew B., inspired by the tale.
