West Grayson Retired School Personnel’s (WGRSPA) third-grade book projects are becoming quite the hit at Whitesboro, Collinsville, S&S and Tioga elementary schools. Each year, WGRSPA members visit each of the schools to deliver a book to the third-grade class, free of charge. Last week it was Collinsville Elementary’s turn.
Teachers Alesha Hacker, Christi Light and Misty Watkis had the event so organized that only two WGRSPA members attended: Book Project Committee member Laurie Davenport and 2nd Co-VP/photographer Sharon Lively. Nine Collinsville High School seniors (members of FCCLA) introduced groups of students to their new Scholastic book, The Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (illustrated by Charles Santoso).
The high schoolers break the students into groups and lead reading and discussions about the story.
The joy of reading was quite evident by the enthusiasm, interest, cooperation, reactions and comments on all levels. The takeaway is always how special it is for each of the 45 third graders to have his/her own book with a personal note from the teacher.
“I’m so thankful for the West Grayson Retired School Personnel Association for bringing books into the hands of students,” Hacker said. “Reading is so important, and I love the looks on my students’ faces when I get to gift them a book.”
Reading teacher Watkis agreed.
“I think this program is wonderful. The students are excited about the books and that is a great start to encourage reading,” she said.
“We are so blessed that the WGRSPA makes time for our third graders each year and donates a special book,” Light said. “The students get so excited about it, and it makes them realize how important and fun reading can be.”
West Grayson RSPA thanks our communities for supporting their fundraisers and being a part of their book projects and donations to the school libraries, as well as their scholarships and contributions to the Texas Retired Teacher Foundation.
