White Plains Middle School Promotes Reading Initiative

is setting out to do what this day in age seems almost impossible: inspire kids to pick up a book, and put down that videogame controller or  cell phone.

Since February, WPMS has implemented a program called Reach Out and Read, or R.O.A.R, which sets aside 30 minutes for at least one school day a month. During this time period, students from every grade in every classroom in the school—whether it be English or gym—drop whatever they're doing to read a book of their choice.

"We started it originally right before a vacation day, thinking it would calm the building down, and it just went great," said Principal Jane Scheinman. "I haven't walked anywhere where without seeing a kid reading. They're all doing it."

ESL teacher Carol Quinones-Smith is one of the driving forces behind R.O.A.R. She hopes students will ultimately read for pleasure rather than view it as a chore. A tall task indeed, however, the feedback from both students and teachers alike has been all positive—according to Scheinman, who spent this reading period sitting in with a group of students in the gym.

"We've made an effort to put ourselves in classrooms as well," said Scheinman. "That's the thing, they see everybody doing it. The superintendent was here on one of the days, It's the idea that this is so important, that we stop everything that's going on in this building so that everybody can read."

Along with R.O.A.R., the middle school also promotes reading through independent reading logs, literacy notebooks, book clubs and summer reading. All these services are aimed at building a community within WPMS and to increase reading stamina, according to Quinones-Smith.

While vampire books could be spotted quite frequently during Wednesday's session, the students are expected to read across all genres.
"We build it into our curriculum, so our kids have independent reading on a regular basis," said Scheinman. "We did the first one just saying 'let's try it and see.' Now we have a lot kids asking us for it."

Many classrooms were filled with students reading on their own Wednesday. However, teachers and students also have the option of reading in a group as a way of promoting interactivity. As the weather heats up, teachers also will be encouraged to read outside with their students.

During the trial periods, the school's library media specialist had prepared a cart of books for students to choose from. They soon found out this wasn't necessary, as as kids had all brought their own.

Despite its popularity, the school will have to take a break from R.O.A.R. in the upcoming weeks due to a heavy testing period. Although it is scheduled return at least once in May and once June, with the possibility of adding more days.

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