The Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge officially kicked off this week and Wednesday marked the first edition of Poughkeepsie Reads Wednesday.
While students throughout the challenge are encouraged to read each day, with class time dedicated to help them do so, on Wednesdays all students throughout each building will drop what they’re working on and read for 20 minutes.
Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott visited Warring Elementary Wednesday morning to see students taking part in this new initiative and address some of the classes. He then did the same in the afternoon at Truth Elementary, finding Principal Alica O’Connell and  special education kindergarten teacher Denise  Angelucci ready to celebrate the first session dressed as “Thing 1” and “Thing 2” from Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat.”
Each Wednesday, members of district administration and the Board of  Education will visit various buildings to emphasize to students the  importance of the Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge and  Poughkeepsie Reads Wednesday. There are also banners in place  prominently in each building.
“I’m coming into your class this morning to really celebrate you,” Mott told one group. “The Reading Challenge is really to encourage you to continue to be proficient, avid, lifelong readers. We know that is the pathway to a lot of success and a lot of information.” 
Building leadership is determining when their students will read each Wednesday, depending on how best it works for their schedules already in place; teachers then determine when to designate class time for reading on other days during the week. Warring opted to have students read at the beginning of the day while enjoying breakfast. Some other schools, like Truth and Krieger, chose to read toward the end of the day.
The Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge includes all students, from pre-K to high school seniors, encouraging each to read at least 20 minutes a day. The shared goal is for district students to accumulate more than 1 million minutes read by the end of the  school year.
Students will track their reading through the myON digital library app, available in ClassLink. Through myON, students have on-demand access to more than 7,000 digital books that can be matched to each individual student’s interests, grade and reading levels. For the youngest learners, the app can read stories out loud with each word highlighted as it’s read for students to follow along, and Spanish language texts are also available. 
Many students by the third day of the challenge were already navigating the myOn system with ease, finding books on topics and styles to their liking, and engaging with the content. While plenty of students were reading chapter books, some picked graphic novels or informational books. For some books, the app includes a short quiz to test retention of the subject. 
“No matter what you may like – sports, science, engineering – whatever that may be, we want you to really enjoy picking up a book and reading about it,” Mott told students. 
In addition to building literacy skills, the Poughkeepsie Reading Challenge will encourage students to read consistently with quantifiable data that will allow not only teachers but the students themselves to see their level of participation and growth as a reader. It will also encourage positive, friendly competition among students, grades and buildings.
Each student’s reading time will be tracked and top readers will be recognized on a monthly basis and as they hit significant minute milestones, as well as at the end of the year. Not only will the readers with the most minutes be celebrated, but also those who are showing the most improvement or consistent participation. Cumulative totals for each grade in each school building, as well as the school buildings as a whole, will also  be tracked and recognized with monthly and year-end prizes and awards. And, because time is what will be  measured, our youngest learners can compete on an equal playing field as our oldest and readers of all  levels can be honored. Already, students are reporting students taking an interest in how many minutes they are accumulating, 
“We’re going to celebrate you and have some fun,” Mott said, before asking students for suggestions of what kind of rewards they would want. One student, after thinking about it, asked for a party. “I can do that one! I can do a party for you.” 
In fact, one’s already in the works. The whole initiative will then culminate in June with a blowout party at which our highest achievers will be honored and receive prizes, and students will be able to enjoy their accomplishment.