Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools January 2014

Sun Valley Elementary students help break world reading record Summer may be a time of play for most elementary students, but for Sun Valley Elementary students, it was a time to help break a reading world record. More than 4,284 schools, representing all 50 states and 30 countries, read and logged an impressive 176,438,473 minutes - breaking last year’s world record of 95,859,491 minutes! SVES students logged 6,042,663 minutes toward setting this world record and was the only school in North Carolina to place as one of the Top 20 nationwide schools. In fact, SVES students are featured in the Scholastic Book of World Records 2013 for the number of hours they logged reading over the summer. Principal Dr. Terri Cooper said all of the K-5 students participated in the competition during their media center time. “I was glad to see that our school continued to be one of the top three schools that participated,” Cooper said. Cooper credits the students, parents, faculty, and staff’s encouragement with much of the summer reading success. SVES parents are very supportive of reading. This was a great way to keep the students engaged during the summer. SVES students logged 6,042,663 minutes toward setting this world record The worldwide competition officially began May 6, and was the only school in North Carolina to place as one of the Top 20 nationwide schools. 2013, and ended September 6, 2013. “It was a great reading incentive for parents when children were on family vacations and traveling, reading in the back seats of cars,” “We started this program in conjunction with our schools to help said Scholastic Representative Steve Black. Instead of, “How much provide them a fun way to keep their students reading through further is it Mom?” they were reading for this. the summer,” said Jonita Broel, with Scholastic. The web site that the children were directed to was interactive all summer. It was a learning experience as well as a place to log minutes. Students could read any book, not just ones from Scholastic Books. “The original challenge was a million minutes to break last year’s summer reading record,” Broel said. “We far exceeded that.” Broel said the summer reading program was so well received that Scholastic Books will again try to break the 2014 world record. Who knows what the challenge will be next year? “Maybe the moon again,” she said. You want the children to keep reaching. After all this is an international competition Broel went on to say. LARGEST SNOW TUBING PARK ON THE EAST COAST! • LANES 400-1000 FT LONG • 2 MOVING CARPET LIFTS • 100% SNOWMAKING • BUY TICKETS ONLINE Snow Tubing Featuring 4 different areas to snow tube with over 20 lanes of fun! LON GES T ZIP LIN E COU RSE ON THE Ziplining • OVER 4 MILES OF ZIPLINES • 20 CABLE RUNS • HEIGHTS OVER 200 FT EAS T COA ST! • OPEN YEAR ‘ROUND • RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED Located oﬀ Hwy 105, Between Boone & Banner Elk 800.822.HAWK or 828.963.6561 www.HawksnestTubing.com :: www.HawksnestZipline.com SVES students logged 6,042,663 minutes towards setting the world record! “We are very proud of our students for their participation and to be a part of this worldwide contest,” Dr. Cooper said. Dr. Cooper said the students will work to break their record next summer. “Reading enhances who the students are as future citizens,” Cooper said. “It encapsulates everything about them, their dreams, their visions, their aspirations. That’s why I see it’s so important for children to read. It takes them places that they may not readily go.” Written by: Kevin Vickers, SVES Media Coordinator Parent Teacher Magazine • January/February 2014 • 3

Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools January 2014 | Page 5