First Grade Celebrates Surpassing Goal in 2016 Mayor’s Book Club

CAPE MAY – Cape May Mayor Dr. Edward J. Mahaney, Jr. once again joined the first-grade students of Cape May Elementary School to celebrate a successful conclusion to the Mayor’s Book Club. Mahaney presented a check for $1,000 to teacher Stephanie Newman after her students far exceeded the goal of the 1,000-book challenge and finished with a total of 2,533 books read.
Neuman is looking forward to using the funds awarded by the mayor to acquire books to add to the special “Mayor’s Book Club” section in the school’s library, and to continuing the program with her students in the next school year. This year’s students also will be rewarded with an ice cream party.
The Mayor’s Book Club was launched in 2014 by the New Jersey League of Municipalities as an educational foundation initiative. However, after seeing the enthusiasm for reading, they mayor continued the project for the past two years and personally funded the $1,000 reward both years as the classes reach the 1,000 books-read goal.
“Not only has this year’s class far exceeded the goal, but teachers have confirmed that the graduating class’ reading comprehension is far above what it should be for a first-grade level,” says Mahaney. “Students get incredibly excited about the program and are always eager to bring books home to read with their family, on their own time.”