PARP...That's a Wrap!

The last day of PARP proved to be a busy one on the 5th and final day with students handing in their activity sheets and the PTA tallying minutes. 

Day 5 happenings: 

• Today students were encouraged to wear RED if they read a good book.  From walking around Countrywood, there are definitely a lot of good books to read!!!  

• Students received a brag tag today to wear proudly on their backpacks telling everyone they are Star Readers!

• Today's riddle had everyone 🤔..."what kind of fish goes with peanut butter?"  Give up...jellyfish!!

PARP Week Wrap-up:

• 138 students submitted a "My PARP Week Activities" sheet which tracked their participation in At Home and In School suggested activities throughout the week!  Way to go!!!  

• In total, Countrywood students read 15,476 minutes this week!  That's amazing!!! While our goal was 25,000, we have a feeling that more minutes were read and not recorded but that's okay 😊.  Just keep reading!!!

• The classes that read the most minutes by grade were: Ms. Bertolino (Kindergarten) with 1,035 minutes; Ms. Schwartz (1st Grade) with 875 minutes and Ms. Rabideau (2nd Grade) with 2,039 minutes.  These classes received Book Buddies and will enjoy a PARP Party in the coming weeks. 

• Over 100 riddles were submitted during PARP week.  

• We received 85 original works of art inspired by The Dot or Ish.  These masterpieces will be used to make a poster that will be on display at South Huntington Public Library in the near future.

• 80 Mad Libs were handed in...these silly stories will be compiled into an eBook and the link shared with everyone to enjoy!

• Over 75 students completed Reading BINGO activities. Unbelievable! Five students from each grade were randomly chosen to receive a Book Light/Timer as a prize.

• Ms. Korn welcomed 55 Guest Readers into the school Library - guests included parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles, School Administrators and even a Suffolk County Legislator.  

• We received close to 50 Partner & Me Selfies which will be included in a PARP Week wrap-up slideshow that will be shown to all classes next week.

All in all, it was a fun and busy week!  We hope that you and your child will make 15 minutes of reading together part of your daily routine!  Happy Reading!  

Take a look at some of our prizes and giveaways students received this week:

21-day Challenge

Did you love PARP so much that you just don't want the fun to end?  Well take a look at the Read Aloud 15 MINUTES 21-day Challenge!  

Click here for the link:

http://www.readaloud.org

Valentine's Day Books for Little Readers

With Valentine's Day around the corner, check out these recommendations from Brightly for books for little readers.

Click here for article:

valentines-day-book-gifts-for-little-readers

Day 4 of PARP

Day 4 of PARP was full of excitement.  

• Students, teachers and staff dressed in their pajamas to cozy up with a good book for Pajama Day.  Always a Countrywood favorite!

• Another 13 Guest Readers surprised classes throughout the day.

• The riddle of the day had everyone laughing..."what do you call a cheese that's not yours?"...Nacho cheese 😂

• Children received a coupon for a free cookie from Panera Bread recognizing their reading efforts.  

• Thank you to Sheila Buhse and South Huntington Nutrition Services for contributing to the fun with their Surprise Tray Giveaway yesterday.  Six lucky children who found a special sticker under their tray received copies of the books highlighted on this week's menu.  

• The Riddle Box by the main entrance is overflowing with clever head scratchers.  Take a look...

PARP Week Continues

Another great day at CW for PARP.  

• Students had the opportunity today in school to Drop Everything And Read!   with a book brought from home.  Did you know that DEAR is a nationwide celebration held on April 12th every year honoring Beverly Cleary?  Beverly Cleary first wrote about DEAR in her book Ramona Quimby, Age 8.  To learn more about DEAR and for more resources, check out www.dropeverythingandread.com.   

• Ms. Korn opened up her Library to 11 more Guest Readers!  To date, over 35 readers have had the pleasure of reading to Countrywood students.

• Today's riddle "the more you take, the more you leave behind - what are they?" was a real head scratcher.  Footsteps, of course!  Congrats to the riddle writer and class that correctly answered it.

• Thank you to Ms. Whitney, CW Art Teacher, for incorporating our celebration of PARP Week into her lessons.  Students have been using different mediums to create art inspired by the books Elmer, Mister Seahorse, Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late, The Mixed Up Chameleon, and Pete the Cat.  These amazing creations pictured here are currently adorning the halls of Countrywood.  

The Importance of Being Kind

We Are Teachers has compiled a list of 24 books that teach children the importance of being kind. Definitely a list a good reads no matter what the age.  

Click here for the article:

kindness-books-for-kids

What's Up with Clifford?

Ever wonder what's the fascination with Clifford the Big Red Dog that children have?  Scholastic explores the reason why this 56-year old iconic figure continues to delight children.

Click here for the article:

clifford-the-big-red-dog-fun-facts

Bedtime Stories

Looking for bedtime stories to address the countless excuses you've heard from your child for not wanting to go to bed...I'm not tired...I'm hungry...Everyone else is up!  Scholastic as compiled a list of books to turn those excuses into the subject of your bedtime reads.

Click here for the article:

Top-10-bedtime-excuses-you-can-put-to-bed-these-great-reads

Day 2 of PARP - A Day in the Life of a Book

Day 2 of PARP proved to be just as busy as Day 1...

• Students and staff alike wore tees with writing on it for everyone to read.  Some tees were motivational, "Believe in You"; others were funny, "I'm 5, what's your excuse?!"  

• We also welcomed Steven James Petrucci, Illustrator to over 80 children's books, who presented "A Day in the Life of a Book."  He spoke to the children about how he became an illustrator and gave them insight into the creative process.  Children also got to participate in the program as well as get a close-up view of original illustrations created by Steven.  Steven also presented an original watercolor to Countrywood so we could remember his visit.

• Tuesday's riddle was a clever one - what gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?  Give up...a towel!!

• Library Special was very busy welcoming 18 Guest Readers! 

Take a look at all of the fun that happened at CW on Tuesday:

First Day of PARP!

What a great first day of PARP at Countrywood!  Day 1 has been very busy...

• Students, teachers, and staff alike wore something Wild West themed for our first In-School activity, "Howdy, Partner!"

• Today's riddle of the day was a good one...what gets bigger the more you take out?  Stumped...a hole!  The student who submitted the riddle and the class that answered it correctly were awarded prizes.

• We had 6 Guest Readers visit during Library Specials including Legislator Berland (16th District - Suffolk County), who before reading spoke to students about her job and local government.

• Today's giveaway received by ALL Countrywood students was a door hanger that students can hang on a door at home to let everyone know, "It's time to Saddle Up and Read!".

• South Huntington Nutrition Services joined the fun creating a book-inspired menu this week.  Today's theme was Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like PARP at CW...

Decorating got underway at Countrywood on Friday afternoon in anticipation for PARP Week (2/4-2/8/19).  In celebration of our theme, "Saddle Up and Read!", the halls have been decked with Western inspired decorations.