Local community leaders and school district staff members gathered together yesterday to help celebrate the importance of reading and literacy to students at Overlook Elementary School. This annual celebration commemorates reading, learning, and community. The special guests introduced this year’s One School, One Book, The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O’Connor. The first chapter was read aloud to students by the celebrity guests to generate excitement.
Plus, every Overlook family received a free copy of the book to read to their children following the big introductory event!
As part of the One School, One Book program, one book is chosen and every family at Overlook receives a copy of the book to read at home over the course of a month. The program is designed to create a shared reading experience within the school community. This is part of the school’s initiative to encourage families to read together at home. Throughout the month, there will be daily trivia questions, a website where students can listen to their favorite teachers read aloud from the book, and a shared class writing journal. Many other “special” surprises may occur for this month of celebration. And if students meet their reading goals, the principal will be “kissing a pig.”
Celebrity readers included: State Senator Art Haywood; Abington Township Police Chief John Livingood and two police officers – Jeff Anderson and Bill Plymouth; School Board Director Susan Arnhold; Rev Jerome Coleman (local clergyman from First Baptist Church of Crestmont); From Abington Fire Department – Fire Chief Michael Jones, Assistant Chief Richard Jones, Battalion Chief Brad Nash (and Overlook parent), Captain Mike Jones, Jr., Safety Officer Steve Plum; Dr. James Melchor, Abington Assistant Director of Curriculum; Ms. Kelly Lambert, Assistant Director of Special Education; Dr. Denise Mendez, Coordinator of Mathematics; Mrs. Patricia Botero and Mrs. Michele Smeal, Overlook parents and PTO presidents; Ms. Natalie Finn, Overlook Reading Specialist; Mr. Joshua Perlman, Overlook Elementary Curriculum Specialist; Ms. Marie Reynolds, retired Abington Reading Specialist. Overall One School One Book coordination was led by Overlook librarian Ms. Elisha Gee and Overlook Principal Mr. Daniel File greeted and welcomed guests and celebrity readers.
There was a reception prior to visiting the classrooms, including a Dr. Seuss birthday cake, “frog” cupcakes, a special appearance by the “Cat In The Hat” (Overlook PE teacher Kristen Early), and student visitor guides and student council members. The event was featured on a 6abc Action News video clip.
