By Richard Kaufman
As construction noises from the site of the new New Lebanon School reverberated off the Byram Shubert Library outside, loud applause and enthusiasm filled the gymnasium inside the current school, as the second annual New Lebanon School Readathon began.
Students and teachers gathered in the gymnasium for an assembly last Friday afternoon, which featured a read-along from Board of Education chair, Peter Bernstein. The students were also treated to a slideshow presentation on the construction of their new school from project General Superintendent, Randy Feda.
Feda discussed the current state of the construction, and explained how GIlbane Building Company, the entity in charge of the project, uses different machinery. The students were able to see how woodchippers, excavators, and blasting with explosives help construct a new building.
Feda, who lives in Old Greenwich and went to New Lebanon School back in the 1970’s, said being in charge of the building of the new state-of-the-art facility is extra special for him.
“It’s awesome,” he said with a smile. “To come back and build a new school for the kids is just amazing. I never thought I would be doing something like that. I love talking to the kids about it. I really enjoy it.”
The Readathon was originally supposed to begin on March 2, which happened to be Dr. Suess’ birthday. However, with multiple snow days, it was moved to last Friday.
“Did you all enjoy the snow days?” Bernstein asked, receiving loud screams from the children. “Who’s most excited about coming back to learn?”
Last year’s Readathon saw students accumulate 95,000 minutes of reading and raised just over $4,000 for the school. The goal this year is to reach 100,000 minutes by April 6.
Students can read books, comic books, magazines and newspapers to rack up minutes, which they will log into a tally sheet; using electronic devices to read with will not be allowed. Donations can be attained through sponsors from neighbors, family or friends.
The top reader and student who collects the most donations will receive Amazon Kindles. The two champion classes, one from the lower grades and one from the upper grades, who total the most minutes will get in-school pizza parties.
Other prizes for top performers include Amazon gift cards, art supplies and glow in the dark slime, which seemed to be a crowd favorite.
Bernstein then read a book titled “School’s First Day Of School,” which is about a brand new school and how it, and the students, are nervous about the first day. Bernstein began the book during the new school groundbreaking ceremony back in December. The students were able to add 10 minutes to their tally sheet for the read-along.
“I’m Just trying to help them get to 100,000 minutes,” Bernstein said afterwards. “It’s a laudable goal and I love the fact that a lot of them are still holding physical books. If you go into any of our classrooms, you’ll see the libraries the teachers have assembled. To know that the students are cycling through those books and moving up reading levels and having a good time doing it [is great].”
Bernstein also said that it’s great to see so much enthusiasm about the new school, and that “it’s an amazing feeling” for the children to see the construction progress just outside the window.
“Hopefully by next February we’ll be in that building and ready to learn,” he said. “I hope I’m invited back to read next year.”
Interim Principal, Klara Monaco, who is filling in for Barbara Riccio, said that the Readathon is all about challenging the students while also making it fun.
“It helps [the students] with their reading stamina as well and helps families make a commitment to reading,” she said.
Monaco added that she was pleased to see the children so happy, and that the next month will help foster a love of learning.
“It was really nice to see they’re excited,” she said. “I think they’re happy to show what they know and really dig into it.”
At the conclusion of the assembly, the New Lebanon School Student Council led everyone in a cheer. A dozen students held up signs, one-by-one, to spell out GO READATHON! The students chanted in unison, then returned to their classes to begin reading.
