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Borough President Vito KJ Fossella kicked off the 27th annual “Readers Are Leaders” challenge at PS 8 in Great Kills on Tuesday, addressing the fourth-grade students about the importance of reading. “This program is to encourage and to inspire those who like to read, but it’s also trying to get to those who don’t necessarily like to read,” said Borough President Fossella. “Readers Are Leaders” challenges fourth-grade students in the borough’s public, parochial and private schools to read a minimum of five books in five weeks. Students then submit a report or interpretation in their own creative way on their favorite book read during the five-week period -- it could be in the form of a skit, a diorama box, video, interview with a favorite character, book report, or another creative way the student chooses. Each school then selects one “Super Reader” to receive an award at a ceremony in May. The challenge began in 1996 when Borough President Fossella was the Councilman representing Staten Island’s South Shore and it was later taken over by Borough Hall. Since its inception, fourth-graders graders have read more than 780,000 books for the annual challenge -- that amounts to over 29 billion words read. “It’s something we’re very proud of,” said Borough President Fossella. “It’s one of the better things I ever had the privilege of doing, and I just hope, even if it makes a difference in one child’s life, we’ve done good.” At the end of program, the PS 8 students wowed us with a dazzling performance of “A Backstreet Valentine’s Day.” We thank the students and staff of PS 8 for welcoming us into their school and we look forward to another successful year of reading for all of Staten Island’s fourth-grade students. Schools wishing to participate can email events@statenislandusa.com. Comments are closed.
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