Connecting Through Words

By Larissa Lytwyn

After Sandy Hook School spun a community-building web between faculty, students, and their families during last year’s schoolwide reading of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, Principal Donna Pagé is eager to start spinning familial connections again.

“Last year was a great success,” Ms Pagé said. “We are planning on having the program again this year.”

The program was originally inspired through learning about townwide reads. “Every town resident would read the book,” Ms Pagé explained, adding that the program was a wonderful way to bring people together.

In preparation for last year’s schoolwide program, Ms Pagé joined Sandy Hook School staff and faculty in conducting searches for similar programs but found none.

Sandy Hook School then became a pioneer of sorts.

Like last year, students will be given “clues” hinting at the book’s title during morning announcements and other activities each day.

“When we did Charlotte’s Web we had characters crop up one by one on the bulletin boards shared quotes [from the book] over the intercom to spark students interest,” she said. This year, she added mysteriously, may be a bit more challenging.

After the book’s title is discovered, families will have several weeks to read the book, marking progress through special assignments.

“The kids love giving their [families] homework,” Ms Pagé laughed.

The program culminates in a schoolwide social event.

“We’re just beginning to start the clues [now],” Ms Pagé said.

Once the title is named, the program should be in full swing within a month.