Christ the Teacher elementary schools are taking a fun approach to reaching literacy goals. One School, One Book is the flagship program of Read to Them, a not-for-profit literacy advocacy organization based in Richmond, Virginia.
"The program encourages reading together at home by enabling every family and by inspiring them with a shared experience," said Kimberly Poncelet, one of the teacher organizers of One Book, One School at St. Paul's.
"The benefits of reading aloud are remarkable. Studies have shown that reading to children helps them to listen better and longer, build bigger vocabularies, understand concepts better, feel positive about both books and learning, and more."
St. Paul's kicked off 4th Annual edition of the project on January 3 by transforming the gymnasium into the Great Hall of Hogwart's School of Wizardry from the Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling.
Principal Trevor Baker dressed up as headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore and the teachers played the other professors.
The students were all divided into the Houses of Hogwart's, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherine.
Cynthia Oliver, from Yorkton's Free My Muse Theatre Company, read the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone while hundreds of candles projected on the gym's walls flickered.
Each St. Paul's family received a copy of the book courtesy of the St. Paul's Community Council. Throughout January the families will read the books collectively at home.
At school, there will be daily trivia, dress up spirit days, modified Quidditch games for intramurals, and fun recess activities, all the while earning points for the four houses of Hogwart's.
The project will wrap up January 30, with a family literacy night.
St. Michael's also launched its One Book, One School project on January 3. This year they will read Because of Winn-Dixie, the beloved, award-winning story of Opal, a 10-year-old girl, and her adopted dog Winn-Dixie.
The following day, St. Henry's Junior Elementary in Melville started reading the classic Charlotte's Web.
St. Alphonsus is taking a little bit of a different approach. After February break, that school will announce its One Theme, One School project.
"Each classroom will choose a different book based on a common theme, tentatively the theme of bullying/self-esteem," explained Chad Holinaty, superintendent of education for the Catholic division.
