Schools

A Groton Reading Challenge That Gives Back

Students at Charles Barnum Elementary raise more than $500 for fuel during the first week of a reading challenge

Students at Charles Barnum Elementary have raised more than $500 to help local families heat their homes, through a program that encourages students to read extra each day and donate to a cause.

Librarian Terry Prior said the three-week program, which ends Friday, asks students to read for an additional 15 minutes after their regular homework, then offers them a small incentive like a bookmark as a reward.

It also encourages them to give something back if they can. During the first week, the school collected $537 for home heating assistance for Groton Human Services. Some students just gave a quarter. Others handed in their allowance.

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On the program’s second week, children brought pet food and toys to donate to Groton Animal Control. This week, the students will donate used children’s books.

“The kids get excited because they’re helping,” Prior said, adding, “It’s amazing how generous people are.”

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Amanda Dill, who volunteers at the school, works as a teacher’s aide and has a daughter in fifth grade, said her daughter loves to read but is encouraged by the program.

 “She reads more when the challenge is around,” said Dill. “Even the new kids who come in, they get involved, and they’re happy to do it.”

Submarine Base New London sends several volunteers on Fridays to stamp the kids slips, tally their reading hours and collect whatever they’d like to donate.

Mario Gutierrez, a volunteer from the sub base, said his children used to attend the school.

"I really do think reading is important to kids, but (also) I think it's important to make them feel it's an accomplishment," he said.

Catherine Hanson, community coordinator for the school, said the children relate to the Navy volunteers, as most of the students have family in the military.

“Having the military volunteers here means a lot to these children," Hanson said. "They naturally associate them with their parents and it brings a big smile to their faces."


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