Rockwood School District: Ridge Meadows Community Enjoys In-Person Book Fair In Safe Environment

Press release from the Rockwood School District:

April 16, 2021

​Ridge Meadows Elementary students got the opportunity to buy books for themselves and their teachers in a safe environment at an in-person book fair in the school gymnasium April 14 and 15.PTO parent volunteers worked together with librarian Lisa Molengraft and principal Dr. Amy Digman to conceive of a plan that would allow the Ridge Meadows community to participate in a more traditional book fair while still observing COVID-19 mitigation strategies.Families reserved a spot online, and the organizers spaced out no more than five family groups of four people every 15 minutes, with five-minute breaks in between. The organizers also posted pictures of the book displays online beforehand so that families could plan ​which ones they'd like to visit.Students also had the opportunity to order books online rather than participating in person."It was an amazing experience to bring families back into the school in a safe environment," said Ruth McMillan, president of the Ridge Meadows PTO. "It was extra rewarding to have virtual students come to shop and enter the school building for the first time in the 2020-2021 school year.  I hope this success encourages others in our school community to continue to be creative and bring more events back to our school community while keeping everyone safe."The gym setting allowed shoppers to space themselves out, and hand sanitizing was encouraged. Molengraft said in-person venues such as book fairs are invaluable opportunities to visit with parents and students about reading.A conversation this year, for example, helped change one parent's mind about the value of graphic novels in her child's reading regimen."As the school librarian, the book fair provides an opportunity for parents to acquaint themselves with new titles and learn a little about their children as readers," Molengraft said. "These interactions only take place when we hold physical book fairs, and this one was more needed than ever!"In addition to buying books for themselves, students could select books from wish lists created by their teachers for their classroom libraries.Ridge Meadows held its book fair in person last year as well, shortly before the COVID-19 school closu​res. Considering the challenges associated with holding a workable in-person event this year, PTO co-treasurer Nicole Lyon is proud of the way the Ridge Meadows community responded."It really is the first event of the school year in which parents, students and the amazing school staff have come together to plan and have an in-person event," Lyon said. "I feel so thankful that my three kids are a part of such a great school community and events like this book fair make me proud to see the Ridge Meadows family work together to make this event so great!"

​Ridge Meadows Elementary students got the opportunity to buy books for themselves and their teachers in a safe environment at an in-person book fair in the school gymnasium April 14 and 15.PTO parent volunteers worked together with librarian Lisa Molengraft and principal Dr. Amy Digman to conceive of a plan that would allow the Ridge Meadows community to participate in a more traditional book fair while still observing COVID-19 mitigation strategies.Families reserved a spot online, and the organizers spaced out no more than five family groups of four people every 15 minutes, with five-minute breaks in between. The organizers also posted pictures of the book displays online beforehand so that families could plan ​which ones they'd like to visit.Students also had the opportunity to order books online rather than participating in person."It was an amazing experience to bring families back into the school in a safe environment," said Ruth McMillan, president of the Ridge Meadows PTO. "It was extra rewarding to have virtual students come to shop and enter the school building for the first time in the 2020-2021 school year.  I hope this success encourages others in our school community to continue to be creative and bring more events back to our school community while keeping everyone safe."The gym setting allowed shoppers to space themselves out, and hand sanitizing was encouraged. Molengraft said in-person venues such as book fairs are invaluable opportunities to visit with parents and students about reading.A conversation this year, for example, helped change one parent's mind about the value of graphic novels in her child's reading regimen."As the school librarian, the book fair provides an opportunity for parents to acquaint themselves with new titles and learn a little about their children as readers," Molengraft said. "These interactions only take place when we hold physical book fairs, and this one was more needed than ever!"In addition to buying books for themselves, students could select books from wish lists created by their teachers for their classroom libraries.Ridge Meadows held its book fair in person last year as well, shortly before the COVID-19 school closu​res. Considering the challenges associated with holding a workable in-person event this year, PTO co-treasurer Nicole Lyon is proud of the way the Ridge Meadows community responded."It really is the first event of the school year in which parents, students and the amazing school staff have come together to plan and have an in-person event," Lyon said. "I feel so thankful that my three kids are a part of such a great school community and events like this book fair make me proud to see the Ridge Meadows family work together to make this event so great!"

This press release was produced by the Rockwood School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.