WOODBINE — Mayor William Pikolycky congratulates Mrs. Newman’s first grade class at Woodbine Elementary School for the very successful completion of their participation in the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Education Foundation Fifth Annual Mayor’s Book Club.
A closing celebration was held on June 5, with Stockton Assistant Dean Pamela Vaughan leading the festivities.
Mrs. Newman’s first grade class at Woodbine Elementary had been chosen to participate in this program which is done in partnership with Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
The cornerstone of this initiative is to engage municipal leaders and their local partners in the development and maintenance of a Mayor’s Book Club that enhances early literacy achievement for first graders. First graders who read at least eight books between February and May 1 receive certificates at a Literacy celebration in May.
If the students read 1000 books, the school is given $1,000 to spend on the first grade classroom library from the New Jersey League of Municipalities Education Foundation.
Mrs. Newman’s students read 1610 books over the course of the program thus earning the $1,000 from the program. The students each also received a book and a certificate, for their successful participation and were treated to snacks following the program.
Mayor Pikolycky along with Superintendent Towns were given a certificates of excellence from the New Jersey League of Municipalities Educational Foundation for promoting this program.
This innovative model connects the school, parents, and community members, college faculty, and teacher candidates. Mayors become involved in the local schools to highlight the importance of early literacy, and to organize an array of strategies that promote wide reading, literacy engagement, achievement, and collaboration.
“I thank all those who made this happen, most of all the first grade students,” added Mayor Pikolycky. “And I wish Mrs. Newman the best as she retires at the end of this school year—with such a fine accomplishment as her send-off.”