Readathon Fundrasier by Sarah Smith Elementary sponsored by Atlanta Hawks and Barnes & Noble
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Readathon Fundraiser at Sarah Smith Elementary sponsored by Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta — Readathon is one of Sarah Smith Elementary’s most successful and productive fundraising events. It is a win win for both the school and students who recruit individual sponsors to support them while they Read Read Read! The funds go to help the PTA provide for the school and the students improve their reading. Many of the students move up an entire reading level after the two week Readathon. The motto of the Readathon fundraiser is to “To foster a lifelong love of reading” in our students.
Smith launched its 8th Readathon with an Atlanta Hawks pep rally with a focus on a “Healthy Me” encouraging all aspects of a healthy lifestyle- mind, body and spirit. Harry the Hawk and Juliana the Cheerleader rallied the kids to take care of their bodies and their minds.
Barnes and Noble sponsored an event and donated a portion of all sales from Smith families back to Sarah Smith. There was also a raffle and they donated prizes including puzzles, learning games and activity books.
Michael White, Smith Parent and illustrator of “The Library Dagon” was on hand to do demonstrations and sign books as was local author Leslie Muir.Teachers from Sarah Smith read to the children and the highlight was the beloved principal, Dr. Freda Hamilton, dressed as the “Cat in the Hat” reading to the children.
The Readathon committee has come up with many ways to recognize and motivate the children to read. The top readers in each grade level will receive a trophy and have their name announced pre-game at the Atlanta Hawks on February 22nd. The Super Stars (students who read at least 1,000 minutes over the two week timeframe from January 24th –February 7th) get to participate in a raffle for pregame activities including dancing with the cheerleaders and retrieving rebounds during the warm up.
Teachers in each grade level who read the most will win a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble and the class with the most points will win a Bruster’s Ice Cream Truck party. Additionally the top reader in each class enjoys donuts with the Principal.
It is a win win for all involved and the children really love the event. It is made fun and celebrates the love of reading for all of them.
