Throughout February, schools across the region have been turning pages and sparking imaginations in celebration of I Love to Read Month. From reading challenges to guest storytellers, students and staff have embraced creative ways to create a love for literacy.
At École West Park School in Altona, the theme “Our Stories Connect Us” has guided their month-long festivities.
One beloved tradition at West Park is Reading Buddies, where older students pair up with younger ones to share stories. Principal Derek Sawatzky explains the impact of this simple but powerful practice.
“This is a structure we’re already using. We want to give kids a sense of belonging here. Not every kid is excited about reading, but we want to spark that in them. Perhaps a Grade 4 student is excited to sit next to a Grade 6 student and listen to them read. And now they start to make those connections, and they have more options at recess and they’re part of a broader community.”
West Park students were also treated to guest readers through a partnership with Regional Connections. Individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds shared stories from their home countries, giving students a global perspective on storytelling.
“It’s an interesting way for our kids to broaden their sense of community,” Sawatzky said. “Reading Buddies and having people from our broader and newer community share stories is a great way to show how connected we really are.”
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A school-wide read-aloud further united students and staff.
“We’re all hearing the same story, and at the end of the month, they’ll all be watching the movie based on the book. That’s another way to make them feel connected,” Sawatzky said. “It’s pretty rare, even within a grade, for everyone to be reading the same book. Now, they have a common text to relate to.”
Assemblies also featured staff members reading picture books to the entire school, reinforcing a shared literary experience. Meanwhile, a special library bulletin board showcased teachers’ favorite childhood books, inspiring students to explore new titles.
Over at École Elmwood Elementary School, the love of reading was intertwined with their annual read-a-thon—the school’s only fundraiser.
Students challenge themselves to reach their grade’s reading goal while collecting sponsorships from family and friends. Prizes are awarded, with the top reader earning the chance to select a book for the classroom library and other incentives for top fundraisers.
Last year’s read-a-thon brought in over $10,000. Funds from this year’s campaign will go toward school yard improvements, field trips, and the school’s annual memory book.
“We track minutes of reading so that every student, regardless of their reading level, gets recognition for their time spent engaging with books,” principal Scott Hiebert explained. “Books read aloud to younger students count as well. It’s just about enjoying literature and making reading part of their routine.”
While the fundraising is helpful, he emphasizes that the heart of the event is creating a passion for reading.
“Without those dollars coming in, schools can’t do special projects. But for us, the primary motivator is celebrating reading in all its forms. It’s about getting our kids excited about books, finding what they love, and getting those books into their hands. If they’re excited, they’ll want to keep reading. And like writing, reading takes practice. Motivation is key.”
Younger students have been particularly engaged in “Stop, Drop, and Read” Fridays, where, at an unannounced moment, students drop whatever they’re doing and dive into a book.
“Our parent advisory council has organized some fun, themed activities,” shared Hiebert. “The most popular was probably the glow stick reading day. With the lights off, students read by the soft glow, making the experience magical.”
Elmwood also welcomed guest readers throughout the month and will conclude the celebrations with a visit to W.C. Miller for a pancake breakfast on Feb. 26. The outing often includes a special performance for the students, creating lasting memories.
“For many of our students, this is their first time visiting that building,” Hiebert noted.
