Summer Reading Rocks at Latimer Lane

Latimer Lane Elementary School Principal Mike Luzietti was not about to let the summer months get in the way of reading for his K-6 students. To help inspire them to pick up a book and read this summer, he hosted two “Reading at the Rock” events on August 4th and 10th. The events attracted nearly 50 students, who enjoyed reading and a cool treat—popsicles.

On the outskirts of the elementary school grounds are several good-sized boulders with plenty of footholds making it easy for children to climb up. One rock in particular, appropriately painted with the words “Latimer Rocks!” was a perfect gathering place to grab a spot and open a book. Older children read individually or shared their favorite books in pairs.

For a group of incoming kindergartners, who weren’t old enough to read on their own, they could sit on the ground and listen to their principal read from a few of his favorite books, like Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy, in which a little girl learns about the unconditional love of a dog, and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, which recants a classic fairytale from a very different perspective, that of the Big, Bad Wolf.

Luzietti didn’t miss the opportunity to underscore one of the many benefits of education, especially for Latimer Lane’s incoming kindergartners. He said, “This is the TRUE story of the three little pigs, and that’s why we come to school—to learn the truth!”

As he closed the book on the final story, it was time to break out the popsicles. As he began handing out the treats to the children, he observed wryly, “You’re really here for the popsicles, not my reading, aren’t you?”

He was instantly gratified to hear a child exclaim, “I’m here for both!”