“There’s always a fun part to reading,” said fourth grader Grant Saunders last week. “It’s like an adventure.”
Grant and his fellow students at Roosevelt School got to indulge in such an adventure last month during their weeklong book fair. This year, the fair fundraiser was constructed in a diner theme, with members of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) manning booths as waitresses and waiters dressed in bright colored sneakers and funky getups.
“It brings all the kids together, and the parents too.” – Donna Hochhauser
________
The annual fair is held as part of the nationwide Scholastic Book Fair. While Scholastic, Inc. sells the books, the PTO holds a series of other events to go along with the sale, including a bookmark-making station and a bake sale. The profits from those events go to the PTO.
Buying books
Grant picked up a couple of books at the fair, including one on futuristic cars and another called “Micro Monsters” that details the “superpowers” of real bugs.
He also helped out by working at the Webster School book fair prior to his own.
“I think it’s important,” said Grant. “Because when you get older, you should read and know things.”
Fellow fourth grader Cain Mcleod enjoyed spending time with his friends at the fair and bought a book on paper airplanes. Within a couple of days he had 10 airplanes finished.
However, the book he picked up on how to draw dragons is having a much longer shelf life. “It’s really hard,” he said.
Zara Ahsan, also in fourth grade, bought only one book – “The Curse” – a fictional mystery that she chose with care and is taking her time finishing.
“I like mystery books,” she said. “You can learn a lesson or new things.”
She said she enjoyed the fair so much, if she had unlimited funds she might’ve gone home with 10 books.
Help from PTO
“It brings all the kids together,” said PTO Secretary Donna Hochhauser. “And the parents too.”
The event was coordinated by PTO Co-Vice Presidents Betty Loos and Karen Hogan. At least two dozen parents pitched in, along with teachers who worked throughout the week and the school librarian who went through the fair with the students.
The PTO organizers said they also received a great deal of help from Agnes Annese, secretary to the principal, and from others in the community.
“It really made the kids happy,” said Loos. “It was a fun night worth all the work.”
Booths created by PTO members on family night included the “Edward and Jacob Café” for fans of the “Twilight” books, and a mythology area where kids’ names were translated into wizard language on a bookmark.
Everything that was included in the event, from the books to a bake sale, was done to help raise money for the school. The school even received a donation based on the pounds of clothing that they collected.
“Everyone helped tremendously,” said Loos. “The support was amazing.”
There were also philanthropic efforts that the kids could participate in such as a Go Green Book Grab which offered kids the opportunity to take one (or more) of almost 200 donated books and then pass it on to a friend.
Helping others
A donation jar was set out for students to put their extra change in to help others who might need a little extra change to buy that one special book.
“We have great community support,” said Hochhauser. “The parents of Roosevelt School are giving people, always willing to help.”
While the total fundraising numbers aren’t final yet, they’re estimated to be record-breaking.
“The PTO did an absolutely outstanding job setting this up,” said Principal Orecchio. “Everything was perfect.”
Orecchio added that the ambiance and great set up were so enticing that people didn’t want to leave. In fact, he said many had such a good time that they expressed an interest in helping out for the next one.
The next event the school will be holding is their spring concert on April 21 at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.