Middle Valley, North Hamilton and Apison take top school honors in the Probasco Readers Program for 2020
Probasco Readers program winners for 2019-2020 are Middle Valley Elementary in first place, North Hamilton Elementary in second, and Apison Elementary in third. The program encourages the engagement of parents in their child’s reading, as well as having children reading every day for at least 20 minutes.
“Congratulations to every participating school,” said Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee, chief reading officer, Read 20, in announcing the winners for this year. “Your efforts demonstrate your continuous engagement with your school community.”
Probasco is an awards program of Read 20, a public-private partnership with a mission to develop a community of readers by promoting the importance of reading with children at least 20 minutes a day or more.
Students read outside of school time, which means families participate and support the outside reading of students. The schools with the highest percentage of students reading a million words during the school year are the winners of the reading competition. Students keep a reading log and a chart to track progress. Teachers chart their classroom progress and think of creative ways to encourage reading outside of class.
Middle Valley wins $5,000 for their school library by taking the top spot with 67 percent of their children reaching the goal. North Hamilton earned $3,000 for their school library with 54 percent reaching the goal. The library at Apison will get $2,500 with 52 percent of children reaching the reading goal.
All children that participated and achieved the goal of reading for 20 minutes or more a day outside of the school day at all schools participating will receive a certificate and medallion. Due to the school closures in response to the pandemic, as well as the variability of how schools have adapted for ending the school year, the decision was made to wait and distribute the certificates and medallions in the fall.
Eighteen (18) elementary schools participated in the Probasco Readers Program from August 2019 through February 2020.