The second annual Read-a-thon at Ada Elementary School has been a wild romp benefitting Deb’s Dogs. The school goal is $5,000.

To motivate students and teachers, principal Tim Closson volunteered to dress up on April 1 in a wild ensemble selected by the students. Each grade level chose an item for him to wear. If they didn’t reach their reading goal, he would not have worn that special item.

Kindergarten: Hat (or as it turned out, a crown)

First grade: Crazy shirt

Second grade: Cape

Third grade: Tie

Fourth grade: Carry something around (a purse that conveniently held his walkie-talkie)

Fifth grade: Crazy pants

To reach their goals, students participated in silent reading periods where they were invited to do 23 different activities including the following: Do 3 jumping jacks at the end of a book or chapter; read with sunglasses on; read while chewing gum; read under your desk; read in the hallway, etc.

Students were also asked to write short book recommendations to be read on the day’s announcements.

Like the basketball tournament that inspired the March Madness theme, the school had bracket winners:

K-2nd grade: Mrs Wissman’s class

3rd-5th grade: Mess Daniels’ class

Most books read for the month of March: Mrs Boehm’s class

Classes will vote on their reward with options of holding a pajama day with snack; movie and popcorn party; chalk day; bubbles day; kickball game with ice cream; bubble wrap popping party. Intervention specialist Gwen Jochims has coordinated the Read-a-thon.