Read Across Riverbank (RAR) wrapped with a total of 16,324 books read during the month of March within the Riverbank Unified School District. The literacy activities promoted reading throughout the month with the Books in a Jar competition, the Wild for Reading Poster contest, Guest Reader Week and Reader Theater.
“RAR went the best that it could,” stated Riverbank Unified School District Program/Grant Manager Araseli Zamora. “The ASP Advisors, Alma Calzada, Monica Villarreal and Beverly Ranson did a fabulous job coordinating the activities, and providing weekly incentives to the students.”
The after school program students celebrated the final week of RAR by performing their favorite books to their peers on stage at Riverbank Language Academy, Mesa Verde Elementary, and California Avenue Elementary. There were parents, students, and staff in the audience at the performances during the final week of March.
“The students and staff did an awesome job,” said Zamora about Reader Theater. “Due to shortage of staff, there was minimal prep time, but they did it. Students were excited and were having fun. Our ASP parents were granted approval to come on site to see the performance. First time since 2020, that parents were able to participate. A heart-warming moment.”
The “Wild About Reading” theme gave students all kinds of creative ideas for the poster contest. The students had an 11x14 size paper to draw on. The winners for the posters included Isabel Telly, who got first place and Riley Robbins got second place from Mesa Verde, Eztrella Ramos received first place, Ulises Flores second, and Amber Rojas third from California Avenue Elementary. RLA winners were first graders First Place-Ernesto Landeros and tied for Second Place-Mateo Rodriguez Duran and Yaritza Gomez Rodriguez, second grade First Place-Emma Maravilla and Second Place-Millilani Hodgson Fox, and third grade First Place-Aren Castrejon with Lynnea Osmundson taking second.
“The activities bring teachers and students together in the reading challenge,” added Zamora. “Teachers and students loved the reading challenge! It was fun competing against their grade level classes. Students looked forward to their treat on Friday. Students and teachers were excited, happy, and thankful.”
Zamora noted that next year they will start communication about Read Across Riverbank in January due to the increased number of new teachers and ASP staff which she hopes will increase excitement and participation for the month-long observance.
