"Barons are difference makers." That phrase, the motto of Manheim Central School District, is more than just a catchy slogan for students at Doe Run and H.C. Burgard elementary schools.
To prove they are difference makers, kindergartners through fourth-graders at both elementary schools took part in a reading challenge that culminated with fundraiser parties that benefited local organizations and continued the celebration of reading. As part of the challenge, participants at both elementary schools aimed to read in 15-minute increments, or "steps," and the class with the highest number of steps received special honors during the parties, dubbed the Family Reading Night and Read-a-THON Celebration, held on March 14 at the respective schools.
The Read-a-THON coincided with the middle and high school Mini-THON events as a way for younger grades to get in on the excitement of Mini-THON, which raises funds for Four Diamonds. Monetary donations were collected for Four Diamonds during the Read-a-THON. Youngsters at both Doe Run and H.C. Burgard held a reading spirit week leading up to the Read-a-THON. During the week, students were invited to participate in dress-up days such as Hats Off to Reading Day, when students could wear a hat all day; Curl Up With a Book Pajama Day; and Read My Shirt Day, where students wore shirts with writing that classmates could read.
According to Doe Run principal Art Paynter, the schools pulled out all the stops to promote reading during the culminating parties on March 14. "This is a way for us to celebrate the students and their efforts to be enthusiastic readers," Paynter explained.
In addition to celebrating and encouraging reading, administrators decided to tie in the idea of giving back and doing good in another way, just like Mini-THON. "We decided to join with Child Life and have students donate items," Paynter shared.
Students brought in donations of crayons, toys, craft supplies, and more in the days leading up to the parties as well as during the March 14 events. At the Doe Run event, the school's lobby was filled with the items as youngsters streamed in to take part in the activities planned for the evening.
Students earned prize drawing tickets depending on the number of steps they logged, and they could earn extra tickets by bringing in donations. Prize bags lined the wall in the cafeteria, and students clambered to place tickets in the bags of the most coveted items, such as a football autographed by Matt Nagy, a Manheim Central alumnus and head coach of the Chicago Bears.
The fun continued in the Doe Run gymnasium, where a disc jockey played popular tunes. Each grade was called out to the center of the dance floor to participate in a specific dance, such as the Chicken Dance or the Cha-Cha Slide. Special guests, including the MC Baron mascot, a couple of oversized chocolate bar mascots, and several 2018 District 3 champion Baron football players, joined in on the dancing fun.
Snacks, face painting, and the spring book fair provided additional enjoyment for Read-a-THON attendees.
The evening was brought to a festive close when Paynter and vice principal Christopher Montagna endured a shower of aerosol string. Students earned the privilege of dousing the administrators in the gooey gunk by winning a classroom door decorating contest. Both gentlemen took the experience in stride.
"We are proud of our Barons," Paynter said. "This is just another way our students prove that Barons are difference makers."
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