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Herkimer Elementary School kicks off PARP program with assembly, guest author


Herkimer Elementary School kicked off its 2024 Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) program with an assembly focused on reading, writing and fun.

Jennifer Olds, Herkimer Elementary School library media specialist, presented the PARP assembly on Thursday, March 14, and was joined by author Melanie Lopata. Olds outlined plans for the PARP program, which runs from March 14-28.

“The next two weeks are going to be so fun at school,” Olds said to students. “You’re going to love it.”

The main goal of PARP is to get students to follow the PARP Pledge of reading with a partner for at least 20 minutes on at least five out of seven nights during both of the two weeks of PARP. Along with that, a variety of fun activities are scheduled for students. A school PARP committee has been planning for the past month.

The Herkimer Elementary School has a PARP theme this year of “Candy Land, Reading is Sweet,” and elementary art teacher Heather WheelerStapf created a giant Candy Land gameboard display in the main hallway of the Elementary School.

There will be a Principals’ Challenge to see if elementary students can read for a combined 50,000 minutes or more during the two weeks. If the goal is reached, Herkimer Elementary School Principal Renee Vogt and Assistant Principal Cristi Paragi have agreed to go inside a giant bubble and also give students bubble gum for a day of school. A large Candy Land game piece will be moved along the gameboard in the hallway to track the progress.

When Olds announced during the assembly that students could win bubble gum, students cheered with excitement.

“And the crowd goes wild,” Olds said.

Another highlight will be PARP Family Fun Night from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, at the Herkimer Elementary School. There will be Candy Land themed activities such as musical chairs and BINGO, along with sweet treats, Olds said.

Students also will be able to compete in a bookmark contest by designing a bookmark on a sheet of paper given to each student. Herkimer fourth grader Alex Roby went up front during the assembly to explain the bookmark contest.

Additionally, students will be able to wear themed clothing as part of the PARP Spirit Week. Members of the Herkimer Elementary School Library Club were up front during the assembly with books and introduced the daily themes for PARP Spirit Week:

  • Monday, March 18: Wear stripes in recognition of the book “A Bad Case of Stripes.”
  • Tuesday, March 19: Wear black and white in recognition of the book “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.”
  • Wednesday, March 20: Wear your favorite color in recognition of the book “The Day the Crayons Quit.”
  • Thursday, March 21: Wear something wild in recognition of the book “Where the Wild Things Are.”
  • Friday, March 22: Wear your pajamas in recognition of the book “Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late.”

All of the festivities will wrap up with a PARP closing assembly on Thursday, March 28.

“We have so many activities: book raffles, spirit days, the Principals’ Challenge, reading buddies, Family Fun Night and the bookmark contest,” Olds said. “We’re going to celebrate reading.”

The PARP opening assembly closed with Lopata as the special guest. Lopata has written 10 children’s books, has written adult fiction and journals and operates a publishing company. She read a passage from her book “Chrissy’ Candy Shop” and encouraged students to pursue their dreams through believing in themselves, practicing, writing down their goals or whatever works best for them.

“Do whatever you have to do because your dream can come true,” Lopata said.

Lopata has also collaborated with Herkimer third grader Macie Burger to write a book, “Macie & Melly Save Christmas,” and she called Macie up front during the assembly. Lopata told students they’re capable of writing published books too, and she gave Macie a chance to share a message with students.

“You’re never too young to write a book,” Macie said.

Lopata said that students interested in being an author have an extra reason to read during PARP and beyond.

“I love reading,” Lopata said. “The more you read, the better you’re going to write.”

 

Jennifer Olds speaking at school assembly

Jennifer Olds, Herkimer Elementary School library media specialist, presents to students during a Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) kickoff assembly on Thursday, March 14.

 

Author Melanie Lopata speaking at school assembly

Author Melanie Lopata speaks about her book “Chrissy’s Candy Shop” during a Herkimer Elementary School Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) kickoff assembly on Thursday, March 14.

 

Author Melanie Lopata and Herkimer student by Candy Land display

Author Melanie Lopata poses with Herkimer third grader Macie Burger on Thursday, March 14, in front of the Herkimer Elementary School’s Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) Candy Land display created by Herkimer elementary art teacher Heather WheelerStapf. Lopata and Macie teamed up to write the book “Macie & Melly Save Christmas.”

 

Library Club members reading on stage

Herkimer Elementary School Library Club members read on stage during a Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) kickoff assembly on Thursday, March 14.

 

Jennifer Olds and student speaking at assembly

Herkimer fourth grader Alex Roby joins Jennifer Olds, Herkimer Elementary School library media specialist, to explain a Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) bookmark contest during a PARP kickoff assembly on Thursday, March 14.

 

Author Melanie Lopata and Herkimer student speaking at assembly

Author Melanie Lopata and Herkimer third grader Macie Burger speak during the Herkimer Elementary School Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) kickoff assembly on Thursday, March 14. Lopata and Macie teamed up to write the book “Macie & Melly Save Christmas.”

 

Author Melanie Lopata and Herkimer student by Candy Land display

Author Melanie Lopata poses with Herkimer third grader Macie Burger on Thursday, March 14, in front of the Herkimer Elementary School’s Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) Candy Land display created by Herkimer elementary art teacher Heather WheelerStapf. Lopata and Macie teamed up to write the book “Macie & Melly Save Christmas.”