A visitor to Roosevelt Elementary School, 800 S. Walnut, no matter which classroom is the destination, will at some point walk through the centrally located library and media center, which is the hub of the school. Just as the library is the center of the school, reading and promotion of a love of reading, are the prioritized activities that take place, not only in the library, but in every nook and cranny at the school, every day and every time of the school day.

Roosevelt Elementary was honored recently by EMC Insurance Companies and KWCH 12 as a winning entry in the “Read With Me” grant program. Donna Viola, intermediate (grades 4-5) teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, submitted an essay describing the reading curriculum and programs and the commitment by teachers, staff, PTO and parents to make reading a top priority at the school.

On April 5, KWCH 12 and representatives from EMC Insurance Companies visited Roosevelt and officially designated the school as the April winner of the “Read With Me” grant. Dale Newell, area marketing representative, presented a check for $500 to Wendy Morris, Roosevelt librarian, for the purchase of books and other resources. Tammy Witte, local agent for Elliott Insurance, assisted Newell with the presentation.

Students in Viola's fourth-fifth grade class and Barbara Wagoner's kindergarten class attended a special reading session at the library, which was filmed by KWCH-12.

Kim Dugger, former Miss Kansas, read the book, “Wild About Books,” by Judy Sierra. The book was illustrated by Marc Brown. Video footage of this event was shown during commercial breaks during the morning and evening news casts through April 10. The video features are sponsored by EMC Insurance. According to a representative of KWCH-12, a video of the “Read With Me” event will be available at kwch.com.

“Roosevelt Elementary School is a place where reading rules. We read before school, during school, after school and have many programs in place to help struggling students become successful lifelong readers. We have many fun programs to foster a genuine love of reading in our students,” wrote Viola in the introduction of the essay which secured the grant.

Roosevelt Elementary has achieved “Standard of Excellence” in reading for the past two years and was designated a Challenge Award Winner and Blue Ribbon School for the 2004-05 school year.

“Read With Me” is a partnership between KWCH 12 and EMC Insurance Companies designed to promote the importance of reading to elementary school students. Each month, EMC Insurance Companies awards a $500 grant to a school for use in its library. Nine winners are selected each year.

McPherson Unified School District 418
514 N. Main
McPherson, KS 67460
620-241-9400
It is the policy of McPherson USD 418 not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race,
religion, color, age, or national origin in its educational programs and/or activities, nor in its employment practices.

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