Students and Community Will Join in 'Big Read' Book Discussions

All through April, students and members of the community were reading Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” and all through May they will have an opportunity to come together to discuss the book.

Hasbrouck Heights High School's “Big Read” event is designed to bring the whole community together to read and discuss one book. Starting next week, students, teachers, parents and community can begin to  interact and share their thoughts on the book.

Three events are set in the coming weeks. The first is set for May 10 where the high school will host a parent/teacher discussion in the high school media center from 7 to 9 p.m.  On May 19 from 7 to 9 p.m., the school will host a student pizza party and screening of the film in the high school media center.

Suzanne Kos, who heads the literacy reform program at the high school, said that for the first time the school has done a community wide read they have about 100 people reading which she said is a good start.   

The "Big Read" has also been a great opportunity for the high school to work with the which was Kos said was happy to support the school's efforts. Teen librarian Catherine Dodwell has brought the book into the library’s teen book club and also hosted a recent screening of the film at the library.

Students also have two chances to win a Nook e-Reader through the “Big Read” poster and essay contest. Kos said she received a ton of entries for the poster contest and teachers will serve as the judges. Deadline for the essay contest is May 13.