Betsy Ross Students Enter Reading Boot Camp

in Mahwah kicked off its annual reading program on Friday, January 6 with a very unique theme this year, “The Betsy Ross Reading Academy Wants You!” Unlike any other reading program the school has implemented over the years, this reality-based theme mobilized many from the Mahwah community.

On hand for the event was interim school superintendent Dr. Karen Lake, Chris Wilson from the children’s department of the as well as Officer Joseph Horn and numerous other representatives from the Mahwah Police Department that graciously volunteered their time to come out and help support and implement this program.

The program was launched successfully as Mrs. Lake headed up the “Promise to Read Oath” and the kids all raised their hands proudly that they would help do their parts. The assembly was a hit with the students and staff, who originally were all under the impression the theme was “Wiggle Your Way into a Book”. 

All were surprised to see the lights of a police car pulling up outside and to see the police officers running into the room blowing whistles and telling them that the theme had changed to “The Reading Academy”. The police officers quickly handed out color-coded dog tags to signify each team and recruited the students, officially making them “reading cadets”. 

Officer Horn further went on to say that he and other Mahwah PD officers would oversee the program and make sure each team worked together to do their best. During the assembly the students had the pleasure of learning what it would be like to be a cadet as Officer Horn drilled out commands such as “eyeballs – snap”, “ears – open” and “mouths – closed”.    

They also were prepped with a speech from Mr. Wilson, the public librarian that he will be on hand to help pick out the perfect books. Betsy Ross librarian Mrs. Rainey presented “10 Reasons to Read” while PE teacher Mr. Schmitt, with the help of a few students, gave everyone a wonderful visual demonstration on how and why teamwork is better than working alone.

The six competing teams will have eight weeks to work together to log in the most reading minutes. While the main goal of this event is to encourage reading, during their time at the “Betsy Ross Academy”, the cadets will also learn other valuable weekly lessons about teamwork and the pillars of character.  

With all this help and support from the community and teachers at Betsy Ross, this year’s Read A Thon program is sure to be a hit. The Reading Academy program will run for eight consecutive weeks, from January 9 through March 2.