Brewster Readathon!

The ice cream social was a big hit, especially when our principals showed up.  Thank you to Mr. Gauley and Mrs. Fronius for following through on their promises. 

Mr. Gauley agreed to let the kids at Eddy Elementary School shave his hair into a mohawk and dye it pink if they reached an aggregate total of 125,000 minutes reading, which they did.  Actually, the students at Eddy exceeded their goal by reading a total of 128, 600 minutes.  Great Job Kids!  Tom from the Brewster Barber Shop did a fabulous job on Mr. Gauley's pink mohawk.  Thank you Tom!

Mrs. Fronius agreed to come to school dressed in PJ's and purple hippo slippers with a bad case of stripes if the student's paper unity chain reached around the Stony library.  Congratulations to the students!  The chain made it around not just once but two times.  Alyssa Miner did a great job on Mrs. Fronius's make-up.  Thank you Alyssa!

2008 BREWSTER SCHOOLS READ-A-THON SPONSORS
Cape Cod 5
The Brewster Book Store
JT’s Seafood
Cape Cod Today.com
Ryan Family Amusements
Orleans’s Bowling
Cape Cod Museum of Art
Stop & Shop
Heritage Museums & Gardens
Wendy’s
Booksmith 
Papa Gino’s 
Cape Play House
Buttonwood Zoo
Harwich Junior Theatre
Grand Slam Entertainment
Beachcomber Boat Tours
Cape Cod Gift Barn
Bird Watcher Store
New England Aquarium
YMCA
Charles Moore Arena
Whale Watch Dolphin Fleet
Zoo Quarium
Olde Orchard Farms
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Roger William’s Zoo
Cape Cod National Seashore
Brewster Pizza House
Cape Escape Golf
Brewster Recreation Department
Dugout Baseball Club
Brewster Birdhouse
Plimouth Plantation
Battleship Cove
Bud’s Go Carts
Olive Garden
Cape Trade Winds
Brewster Whitecaps
Play It Again Sports
Barnes & Noble
Red Balloon
Reily Outlet
Old Country Buffet
Snows in Orleans
Hallmark Store in Orleans
Staples
Orleans CameraIn a combined effort, the students from both schools read a total of 262,00 minutes!  And they raised more than $9000.00 which will be used for school assemblies, field trips and other fun school activites.

It is so hard to know where to begin with our thank yous.  We have so many to thank from the many sponsors to the Brewster familes and all the businesses that donated the raffle prizes for the readathon.  And of course, Mrs. Fronius, Mr. Gauley and the school staff.  We could not have done this without all of your support!       

Thank you to Cape Cod 5 and the Brewster Book Store, we have new books in the Eddy library and in each classroom at Stony.

Thanks to JT's Seafood, each kid will recieve a coupon good for a free ice cream cone!

Thanks to CapeCodToday.com for starting our own blog on BrewsterReadathon.com.

And most of all, thanks to the children of Brewster and their families for making this such a success!  It is because of our many dedicated and involved families that we have such exceptional schools. 

We hope to make the Brewster Read-a-Thon an annual event.  In addition, we would like to continue our annual Ice Cream Social.

A few of the comments:

“I think that the Read-a-Thon is wonderful for the children and the school community---reading should be considered fun--and if we can make it a joyous event than we’re on our way to creating lifetime readers!” - 3rd Grade Classroom Teacher

“My son was so excited about recording his own reading time, adding up the minutes, etc.  Sometimes I would catch him reading just a few minutes here or there and remind him to add in another 5 minutes and he is almost surprised at how often he picks up a book.  It is a great feeling to see your child read for pleasure b/c you know he will enjoy it his whole life.” – Wendy Judd
 
“By far one of the most enriching and motivating fundraiser our elementary schools have had the pleasure to participate in!  A big thank you for the insight to promote reading, plus giving the children an opportunity to raise funds for their schools!” - Robin Perry

“I think the read-a-thon was a wonderful experience.  Although my son struggles with his reading fluency, he still wanted to participate in the read-a-thon.  I was a bit skeptical @ first but he jumped in with both feet, reading at least an hour a day @ home and frequently reading more.  I feel that he has really finally gotten excited about reading and it has been for a good cause!!! The read-a-thon has done wonders for my son’s
reading.”- A Mom
 
“This fundraiser was so well conceived.  The kids got so excited and were able to see that they could have a direct role in helping their school (with 100% of the profits raised going to the school).  And we’re sending a message to the kids about the value of reading – so much better than the cookie dough fundraiser.” – Lauren Elliott-Grunes

“By far our favorite fundraiser so far.  We loved it, and the message it sends to the kids regarding literacy.  The sponsors we called were more than happy to participate, especially in light of the fact that 100% of the proceeds go directly to the schools and the kids.  The kids were really enthusiastic and involved!” – Laurie Norton
 
“Our family was so excited about the Readathon, thank you for such a great program.  My kids couldn’t wait to get to bed early so they could log on extra minutes.  The adults were happy b/c we could support the school directly without having to buy or track products.  We love knowing that the school gets 100% of the proceeds.  I think it is the best fundraising idea there has been b/c it makes the kids excited about reading and allows the adults to support them and the school at the same time.  I love this program and hope it happens every year.” – Alyssa Miner

The Brewster Bookstore has generously donated 13 books titled "A Bad Case of Stripes" to our Stony Brook classrooms to kick-off our Readathon Fundraiser. 

 

In addition, all students @ both Stony and Eddy will receive a $2.00 coupon towards their next book purchase .  Thank you Brewster Bookstore!

 

B.E.S.P.I.E. (“Brewster Elementary Schools’ Partners in Education”) is pleased to announce the 1st annual Readathon to benefit both the Eddy and Stony Brook Elementary Schools.  In an effort to foster literacy among the students, and to recognize the work they are currently doing, we hope to raise funds for our schools.  We want to make the event really big and fun to improve student participation, so any support from parents (prize donations, volunteer time, product/services) would be greatly appreciated!  Already, area businesses have stepped up to support the program.  Cape Cod Five, CapeCodToday.com and JT’s Seafood have made commitments that allow us to make this all happen. 

All funds raised in the 2008 Readathon will be used to support and maintain school enrichment and curriculum programs.  In addition to raising money to support and maintain the school and its programs, we want to encourage and promote a love and ongoing appreciation for reading.  The Readathon happens at school and at home.  Children are asked to make reading a priority everyday, and we are asking families to encourage reading.  Even if your child can’t read, the time you spend reading to your child counts.  We want all students to get excited and involved!

The process is simple
We are asking students, with the support of parents and staff, to make a commitment to reading by acquiring monetary pledges from friends and family for minutes spent reading.

1. Students will set a reading goal on the pledge sheet. They will calculate how many minutes they plan to read per day and multiply that by the number of days in the Readathon (21 days).  Then, they will record their total reading minutes goal on the Pledge/Goal Sheet that will come home with them on on April 4. 

2. Students will ask family and friends to sponsor them with a monetary pledge. The pledge should be either an amount per minute (this amount will likely be in cents rather than dollars) or a flat donation.  Students should record sponsor’s information on the Sponsor List/Goal Sheet that will be in the package that comes home on April 4. 

3. On April 5th, the students start reading. Students will log their time read each day on the Reading Log sheet.  The first section of the Reading Log should be detached and turned in to your child's teacher on April 11th.  At this time, each participant will fill out and drop his/her raffle ticket into a box in the library of each school.  Continue to have your child log their reading time on the next Reading Log sheet.  Be sure to transfer their total minutes read from the first Log to the top of the next Log! On April 18th, the second section of the Reading Log will be collected and another raffle ticket will be awarded to each participant. 

Over the Vacation Week, activities at the Brewster Ladies’ Library will be promoted and tied in to the elements of this fundraiser.  For example, suggested reading books will be displayed and activities will be geared toward fostering a love of reading and Professor Readsalot will join kids at the Library on Tuesday, April 22nd  at 10AM. 

Friday, April 25th will be the last day to record a student's reading time.  Students should total their minutes read and notify their sponsors.

4. Paper Unity Chain.  To remind staff and students of their common love of reading, and to symbolize our understanding of what all of our parts can do together, each class will be given paper strips to be distributed to students each week when they turn in their log sheets.  For every 30 minutes of reading logged, a link will be awarded to add to a chain that will grow in the school’s library for the duration of the Readathon.  Each principal has graciously agreed to do something really silly for the students if the chain reaches around the perimeter of the library by the end of the campaign.  Also, the Brewster Whitecaps have extended an invitation for both schools to sing the National Anthem at their Home Opener on Father’s Day (June 15th ) at 5:00PM in honor of their accomplishment.

5. BrewsterReadathon.com Blog!  Parents can check in with BrewsterReadathon.com and look for our blog.  Parents can also email any comments, thoughts etc. to stacey@donvendetti.com and she will update the blog with relevant info.  Let her know what your child has been reading.  Be sure to put "readathon" in the subject line.  Check our blog frequently for updates on sponsorships,  pictures, and to see what kids are reading!
 
6. In-School Reading Time.  Note at the bottom of each log sheet that there are minutes recorded as In-School Reading Time.  These minutes are pre-determined by the teachers in each classroom and should be calculated into your child's totals.

7. Students collect the pledges from their sponsors. Student 's Sponsor Sheet and pledges should be turned in to their teacher on April 28th.  Student's sponsor sheet and pledges should be returned in the brown envelope.  All Checks should be made payable to BESPIE.


Important Dates:
April 4  –  2008 Readathon material comes home
April 5 – Students begin logging their minutes read each day
April 11 – Students turn in the first reading log to their classroom teacher.  Students will drop their raffle ticket into the box in the school library.
April 18 – Students turn in the second reading log to their classroom teacher.  Students drop their second raffle ticket into the box in the school library.
April 21 – 25 Vacation Week – Student's continue to log minutes.  Be sure to have your child visit the Brewster Ladies’ Library for fun ideas and activities.  Professor Readsalot will welcome readers at the Library on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10AM!
April 28 – Students turn in their final reading log sheet with their total reading time and their pledges.  We need student sheets by this date so they can be eligible for the prizes!  After that date, we will still accept student's pledges, but they won’t be able to count the minutes they read for additional prizes! 
Friday, May 2 – Each grade level will celebrate the close of the Readathon with awards for all participants and raffle winners during a special ceremony held during the Ice Cream Social at Stony Brook.

Raffle Prizes Include:  Summer Classes at the Natural History Museum and Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dugout batting cages, Whitecaps clinics, Throw Out the First Pitch at a Whitecaps Game, Horseback Riding Lessons, Brewster Rec. summer programs, and more!  If you would like to donate a prize, please call us!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Stacey Vendetti at stacey@donvendetti.com or Amy Harwood at amyharwood@verizon.net