Read-A-Thon

When does the Read-A-Thon take place?

READ-A-THON takes place from March 25-April 15. Your child’s READ-A-THON packet will be sent home with them by Tuesday, March 25! Students should return their completed Reading Challenge Tracker, the Sponsor Log, and the Envelope with any cash & checks to their teacher on Tuesday, April 15.

How does my child earn reading prizes?

As your child completes reading challenges at home or in school, they will color in the corresponding book on the Reading Tracker sheet. Teachers will also help students complete some challenges during Independent Reading time and during Spirit Days listed on the Challenge Tracker. We recommend that you keep the Reading Challenge Tracker in your child’s take-home folder so they can easily show their teacher progress to earn prizes as they go, and to keep track of reading challenges that are completed during Independent Reading time at school. Keep the Sponsor Log and Envelope at home so you don’t lose your donations and sponsor records.

How do we raise money?

While our 600 students work to complete 12,000 reading challenges (total, school-wide), the PTO is trying to raise $12,000 for our school through this fundraiser! Your child can ask friends, family, and your coworkers to make a flat donation and/or sponsor their individual reading challenges to help them reach their goal and earn cool prizes! The BSES PTO is a registered charitable 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible. Unlike the food fundraisers we’ve coordinated in the past, every penny goes right back into the education of our elementary school students! Checks should be made payable to the BSES PTO.

How do I submit a message to be displayed at school?

Anyone who makes a donation online may submit an encouraging message during the checkout process. (Example: You are a super reader, Gregory! Love Gram & Pop) These special digital messages will be displayed on monitors in the school lobby and in classrooms for all students throughout the school day. Parents and donors will also get a chance to see messages on our website, at the Literacy Night event, and during spring conferences. Messages may only be submitted through our online donation platform.

When is the Literacy Night event?

Families are invited to our school’s Literacy Event on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00pm-7:30pm at BSES! This Literacy Night event is one of the Reading Challenges! Look for more information about Literacy Night in school communications. RSVP to the Literacy Night at bit.ly/2025LiteracyNight.

How is the East Berlin library involved?

We are partnering with the Jean Barnett Trone Memorial Library of East Berlin (aka East Berlin Library) to help our students develop a love for reading and a habit of visiting their local library! You’ll notice that Borrow a book from the East Berlin Library is one of our reading challenges — this requires you to obtain a FREE Adams County Library card if you do not have one. This card gives you access to books, dvds, digital media, technology, programming, and more from six public libraries across Adams County! The East Berlin Library is providing a free book as a prize for any student who completes 10 or more reading challenges! If your child earns that prize, he or she will receive a coupon that can be redeemed at the East Berlin Library for a brand new book to keep!

The East Berlin Library is located at 105 Locust Street, East Berlin, PA 17316. They’re open Mon/Wed: 10am-6pm, Tue/Thu: 12pm-8pm, & Fri/Sat: 9am-4pm. Learn more about the East Berlin Library here.

Are their PR opportunities for businesses to sponsor the Read-A-Thon?

Absolutely! For a sponsorship of $125 or more, we can coordinate a photo opportunity with a class, and/or provide logo recognition on our website, Facebook, and Twitter. Please email bsespto@bermudian.org for more information on business sponsorships.