CCSD59 and Elk Grove Village Library Partner Up In Summer Reading Quest
This summer, staff at CCSD59 and the Elk Grove Village (EGV) Library teamed up and accomplished a great goal – getting as many books as possible into the hands of Rupley students in the summer programs.
Teacher Nicola Avena, who taught Literacy during the Summer Quest program, wanted to create a hands-on experience for students that would keep them excited about reading.
While initially planning to simply order a bag filled with books through Tammy Wulf, the EGV Library’s School Liaison, Avena’s conversation led to something far better for students.
The library invited students in Summer Quest and the Extended School Year (ESY) to participate in the EGV Summer Reading Program. Every two weeks a new load of books was picked up from the library for students to choose from and read.
Avena was amazed at how hard the students worked not only to earn their own “10 minutes of reading” stickers but also to motivate and encourage others in their group. Avena said the students didn’t even want to stop reading or listening to the read aloud for much-loved brain breaks.
Once students started asking Avena where she was getting all the great books, she realized they didn’t know the books were not from Rupley’s own library. Many students had never visited a library outside of a school environment at all. In response, the Reading Celebration Field Trip to the Elk Grove Village Library was organized.
179 students went on the field trip and saw, many of them for the first time, the magic of the public library.
“What could be a more real world experience than to take a field trip to the Elk Grove Village Library, where all the students could personally see what a library really has to offer not only for themselves, but for their parents!” Avena said.
As part of the Summer Reading Program, the EGV Library donated 185 t-shirts to reward students for hitting their reading goals.
Avena is very quick to thank everyone who helped benefit the students at Rupley’s summer programs. “I would really like to give a special thank you to Tammy Wulf, and all of the staff members that work in the Elk Grove Village Library Youth Services department for their hard work,” she said.
CCSD59 staff was instrumental in arranging the book bags and field trips to the library in both terms of cost and support.
Avena is looking forward to seeing the students in their love of literacy t-shirts. “I thought it would be a great way for the students to start off a new school year and to be proud of their accomplishments,” she said. “I can’t wait to see them all wearing their awesome t-shirts at school.”