The reading challenge is on at Blue Creek Elementary School! Students from all grade levels recently had the chance to attend a kickoff presentation for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region reading challenge, also known as Read for RMHC-CR.
The kickoff was divided into two groups, fourth and fifth grade to start, followed by kindergarten to third grade. For the older age group, students were treated to two guest readers from the University at Albany Rowing Team, Gabby Diorio and Anna Schumacher-Zaremsky. In honor of Black History Month, the duo read books about Black historical figures. For the younger age group, students were visited by the Tri-City Valleycats mascot, Southpaw, with Tri-City Valleycats Client Services Coordinator Sami Serino to help read books about famous Black baseball players in history. Much to the delight of students, Southpaw helped to act out the events of each book, from swinging a bat to cheering along.
Read for RMHC-CR will run through the month of February. During this time, students are tasked with reading as much as they can, while gathering sponsorships from family and friends for the reading they will do. All donations will go to support families dealing with serious childhood illnesses and injuries. Throughout the challenge, students are given prizes for milestones that they meet. Adding to the excitement, it was announced that the class with the most donations will have the chance to put Principal Turcio in a dunk tank.
