Reed Accelerated Readers Dunk Teachers In Celebration

By Eliza Hallabeck

Leaping students threw arms in the air in excitement as teachers and Reed Intermediate School Principal Sharon Epple rounded a back corner of the school to meet students, and a dunk tank filled with chilly water.

Thanks to a school parent, who donated the use of the dunk tank to Reed Intermediate School for Thursday, June 10, accelerated reader program participants were honored at the school by having the chance to dunk their teachers, and principal, in water.

During the multiperiod celebration of reading, students lined up and threw one softball each at the dunk tank’s target to potentially send their teacher, library/media specialist, principal, and other staff and faculty plunging into the tank.

As a special visitor, former Reed teacher Al Washicko, who retired from his position at the school in January, also climbed into the dunk tank.

Library/media specialist Virginia Snowden told students at the start of the year if they met their accelerated reader goals, set between themselves and their teachers, for three marking periods in a row, they would participate in the dunk tank event.

This was the first time the event was held at the school, and roughly 140 students took aim at the tank each period during of the event. Students who did not meet their goals did not participate, and fifth graders got a dose of what to expect next year.

“This is great,” said student Melissa Shohet as she waited for teachers to meet the students outside, “because we don’t usually get to dunk someone at school.”

During the opening for the event Mrs Snowden told the students she knew they were anxious to begin, but their was little time. She quickly listed the rules for the participants.

Each student lined up at the pitcher’s mound, said their favorite book title to Michelle Robinson, who helped oversee the event, and took their best shot.

Dr Epple sat in the dunk tank first. C.J. Herde was the first to dunk Dr Epple after only a few students made their own attempts.

“The only reason I hit that is because I am a pitcher,” said C.J., who later stood with a still wet Dr Epple for a photo.

Mrs Snowden said the school is proud of the students for all the reading they completed over the year.

“Over 22,000 books is an amazing year,” she said, just before entering the dunk tank herself.  “[It’s] more than double what they did last year, and we know that this builds reading skills. Reading the right kind of independent reading is great, and we hope a lot of them will be joining us for summer reading. Reed is all about reading.”

For more photos and a video of the event, go to www.newtownbee.com.