Golden Hill Elementary students participated in the PTA’s annual Pick a Reading Partner program in the form of numerous activities that got them excited to read.

The program was developed in 1978 by New York State Senator James Donovan where a partner (including a parent, grandparent or older sibling, among others) reads with a child for at least 20 minutes daily. According to the New York State PTA website, children who read at home are better prepared to succeed in formal education. 

The festivities kicked off March 1 with a community event featuring guest readers and a scavenger hunt where students searched for letters. In the classroom, students played “Readopoly,” where they “bought” locations around the school, using the number of minutes they read per day. 

“We gave a value of how many points each classroom was deemed to be worth,” Golden Hill reading teacher Heather Beneat explained. “You had to read so many minutes so you can ‘buy’ your classroom,” 

Other reading themed activities included having guest readers, students designing bookmarks and dressing like their favorite book characters and a Book Trivia Night for families.

“It was adorable and the kids really enjoyed that,” Beneat recalled of the trivia event. “We’re giving them incentives because we want them to read.”

Beneat finds that her students get more into reading because of these activities. The program concluded with a night event called “Book Bonanza” where students won books and families socialized.  

“I think they really enjoy that here,” Beneat said. “It’s a fun night out.” 

Author appreciates Florida’s community spirit

Author and illustrator Peter Catalanotto, whose works include the “Monkey & Robot” series and “Ivan the Terrier” visited Golden Hill on March 3 where he spoke with students about finding inspiration for stories, but he was also amazed with the district’s community atmosphere. 

The event was made possible by Golden Hill and its PTA, as well as the Florida Public Library, which Catalanotto found heartening to see the camaraderie in action. 

“I was amazed at how the PTA, public library and the school worked together so beautifully, that’s so rare,” Catalanotto recalled. “How lucky those kids are to have those three entities.” 

The author often finds that kids do not think there is anything worth writing about in their lives, but he often recommends it as a starting point when devising a story.

“Kids should start with their real lives and use the words ‘what if,’” Catalanotto said. “Take something in your life that happened to you that you didn’t like and write about how you wish it would happen.”

Golden Hill students enjoyed the event asking Catalanotto questions that were pertinent to his talk, which he appreciated.

“It doesn’t happen at every school,” Catalanotto said. “I was impressed with the kids, they were particularly attentive.”