In association with the PFA (Parent Faculty Association), East Hills and Harbor Hill elementary schools hosted PARP (Pick a Reading Partner) Week from February 7th – 11th. For both schools, it was a fun-filled week of activities centered around the joy of reading.

The theme at East Hills was Go for the Gold, with activities and dress up days. Children were encouraged to read every night and log their minutes into a google form. Students from each grade with the most minutes were awarded prizes. On Wednesday, the school hosted Guest Reader Day, with over two dozen administrators from across the District visiting classrooms to read aloud Salt in His Shoes, a book about Michael Jordan’s path to success. Students in Ms. D’Elia’s 5th grade class were happily surprised to see Superintendent Allison Brown walk through their door. On Thursday, children’s author Chris Grabenstein made a virtual visit to speak with students.

“Our goal is to foster the love of reading during PARP and throughout the entire year,” said East Hills Elementary School Principal Sherry Ma. “PARP is always an exciting week for the children. They love all the themed days and fun activities.”

Harbor Hill’s theme was the Reading Olympics. Children logged their minutes into a reading log and the top “Olympic Medal Readers” were rewarded with prizes at the end of the week. Each day, the children wore themed clothing: red, white, and blue for Spirit Monday, favorite team jersey on Wednesday, and the ultimate kid favorite—Pajama Day Friday! Harbor Hill plans to host

their Guest Reader Day in coordination with National Read Across America Day— to be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

“It is always wonderful to see the children excited about reading,” said Harbor Hill Elementary School Principal Michelle Hazen. “Every year, PARP Week brings great excitement that can be felt throughout the entire school.”