The faculty at C.C. Pinckney Elementary School plans to use a grant to make the first week of March the "biggest, best Read Across America week ever."
"The kids look forward to this week every year," said building representative and third grade teacher Jenna Vaughn. "They get excited about going home in the afternoon because they know that the prize patrol is coming around."
The Fort Jackson Association of Educators was awarded a $3,500 grant from the National Education Association and the Federal Education Association to help fund the school's Read Across America Week.
"This really shows that our union is very supportive of students, Families, and teachers. In that order," said Fort Jackson Association of Educators President Alan Danahy. "Students are first always and that's the union's motto."
This is the first time the Fort Jackson union has received a grant from the NEA and were the only stateside DoDEA union to receive it.
Read Across America Day is the National Education Association's annual reading motivation and awareness program. It is celebrated March 2, the birthday of children's author, Dr. Seuss.
C.C. Pinckney plans on having a week-long celebration of reading. The events will include a birthday bash for Dr. Suess, an appearance of the Cat in The Hat and an upgrade to the annual prize patrol.
"We are very very excited about this," said Kerrie Ammons who was in charge of writing the grant for the Union. "With this money we are able to go from just 12 winners of prize patrol to now being able to have 17. This equals out to about one child per class."
Students become eligible to win Prize Patrol after having their Family sign a pledge that commits them to being a Family that will read. Participants will find out who won on March 2 by whether or not they receive a package on their doorstep.
"I had students say 'I have practice today, but I'm going to miss it because I want to be home to see if I won'," said Vaughn.
"Everyone's always so happy and supported of each other, " said Ammons. "Even if they don't win you can see students yelling in excitement for the people who did."
With the money from the grant, Ammons said they will be able to afford better games and books for the winners of the Prize Patrol.
"It's important for kids to understand the importance of reading and how it's important to practice," said Vaughn. "Children love 'The Cat in the Hat.' They find Dr. Seuss books funny and they identify with them and developing the love for reading early on is important."
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