Oakwood Receives Grant For One Book, One School Project

LEMONT, IL — Reading specialists at Oakwood School have been awarded a grant from District 113A's Education Foundation for a "One Book, One School" project. According to the school, the entire school will read the same book, do book-themed activities and get excited about reading.

The grant will provide each family with a copy of the book, "Mercy Watson To The Rescue." As part of the project, each chapter has been video recorded by a different guest reader. Recordings can be found on District 113A's website in the Parents tab. Guest readers include police chiefs, a fireman, a pilot, a former Oakwood student who attends the Navy Academy, and other special people.

The project kicked off with a Family Literacy Night on Jan. 24. Besides learning about the activities for the book and hearing chapter one read by Superintendent Dr. Courtney Orzel; Oakwood faculty also shared their favorite stories.

When asked why Reading Specialists Lori Villasenor and Renee Christ wrote the grant, Villasenor said, “My goal for One Book One School is to join students, teachers, and families in reading, discussing, and building a lifelong enthusiasm for reading.”

Christ added, “It is a fun project that brings our community together.”

Photos provided by Oakwood School.