Head O’ Meadow Elementary School recently celebrated the conclusion of its One School, One Read program by having students enjoy the story one more time during a walk around the school’s back field.

The morning of October 14, boards were set up on display around the field. As explained by Head O’ Meadow Library/Media Specialist Beth Murphy, each class contributed a board, with the exception of kindergarten students who worked as a whole. Each board shared a description of a chapter in the book and included an illustration.

Walking around the field, students could re-experience the book while delighting in the creations of the other classes.

This year’s One School, One Read program at Head O’ Meadow had the entire school read the book School Days According to Humphrey, by Betty G. Birney. A description for the book reads, “Humphrey (a classroom’s pet hamster) is excited to get back to Room 26 and see all his old classmates. But on the first day of school, a bunch of strange kids arrive and no matter how loudly he squeaks up, they don’t realize they’re in the wrong room!

“Finally Humphrey realizes that these kids are his new classmates, and he sets off to learn all about them. He hasn’t forgotten about his friends from last year, and of course they miss him a ton. But when they start talking about taking him from Mrs Brisbane’s room, Humphrey gets unsqueakably nervous. How could he say good-bye to Mrs Brisbane and Og — not to mention his new friends — for good?”

“Everybody seems to like the book,” said Murphy, before the first class of students ventured outside the school to walk the “book.”

Every student in the school received a copy of the book courtesy of the school’s PTA. The month was filled with activities. Murphy said reading School Days According to Humphrey near the start of the school year helped students experience the start of school alongside the book’s main character.

As a class made its way outside to walk and read, students began to excitedly talk about what they saw.

“There’s our board!” one student pointed out.

Soon students were huddled in small groups around the first board and eagerly walking to the next board along the path.

Education Editor Eliza Van can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.