This year’s library theme at Copper Beech Elementary School has made quite the splash among students. “Dive into Reading” has served as the backbone to many events and activities held throughout the 2018-2019 school year — from an award-winning underwater photographer visiting in the fall, to this year’s musical production being The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Timed to Read Across America Week, on Thursday, March 7, the ocean theme continued with a special visit from the Abington Senior High School swimming and diving teams, who participated in a number of reading activities with students. After an introduction from the teams, students broke into small reading groups in the library, where the older students also had the opportunity to talk with the second-graders about their love of reading and the benefits of teamwork. Meanwhile, in the gymnasium, the fun continued with a unique twist on the classic game, “Swim, Fishy, Swim.” Rather than students, or the “minnows,” simply sitting down once they are caught by the “sharks” as they try to run across the gym, the minnows instead read poetry while waiting for re-entry into the game.
The purpose of the event was to not only celebrate the library theme, but also to promote the importance of reading, teamwork and goal-setting. Abington Senior High’s boys and girls swimming and diving teams have had a record-breaking year. Three new school records were broken this year by the boys in the 200 Medley Relay, the 100 Breaststroke and the 400 Relay. In addition, senior Matt Bonnell placed first in the District 1 500m Freestyle and third in the 200m Freestyle to earn medals, along with ninth-grader Conor Gesing placing first in District 1 diving and senior Sam Henninger placing second. The girls swim team also broke school records at the SOL National Conference Championships, including in the 200 Medley Relay and the 100 Breaststroke. Further, swimmers Kailey Horton and Katherine Brown qualified for the District 1 Championships.
