Students stop, drop and read for a good cause

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WESTFIELD – Franklin Avenue Elementary School students, families, staff, and friends, along with other remote students from around the city, raised over $3,500 for two Franklin Avenue families who lost their home to a fire in February by participating in a Read-A-Thon.

Franklin Avenue Principal Christine Tolpa said that the Masso family had lived in their home on Orange Street for 40 years, and all of the children have gone through the Franklin Avenue school.

“There has been so much outpouring of generosity from the community, mostly the adult community. Because it affects the community of students at Franklin Avenue — we have four Masso’s here –  we wanted our students to participate. Our motto is HEART – Honor, Effort, Attitude, Responsibility and Teamwork, and this was the perfect opportunity to show all those values on behalf of our Franklin Avenue family,” Tolpa said.

Wendy Creech, the school’s library paraprofessional, suggested the Read-A-Thon as a way for the students to raise money. All students and staff got on board immediately, Tolpa said.

Over the past two weeks, students have been gathering donations from their family and friends. Remote learners from schools across the city also took part in this initiative, as they are a part of classes with Franklin’s remote students.

“The envelopes kept coming in every day. Some who have the least gave the most. It’s just amazing, the extent of thoughtfulness,” Tolpa said.

Then, on the past two Fridays, students took a time out from whatever they were doing to STOP! DROP! and READ! for 30 minutes. Students read from books in their hands and on their computers, or gathered in groups and were read to by teachers.

“It was a celebration of reading for a great cause,” Tolpa said.