Wheeler School celebrates reading with a carnival

Grinning students relished some outdoor time on June 14 at Wheeler Avenue Elementary School’s carnival celebration to mark the completion of the Parents as Reading Partners Program, or PARP.

Targets with holes were set up for kids to throw balls through, and several paused to talk about their favorite book.

“My favorite kinds of books are funny books,” said Macielle Diaz, 7. Anna Asa, 6, agreed, giggling as she described a book in which the subject cannot decide which pair of shoes to wear.

Most students sang the praises of books that make them laugh. Superhero books were another crowd favorite. James Fishman, 6, excitedly described the book series, “Super Kids” as he lassoed a plastic cow at one of the booths.

The carnival was put together by the PTA and Hollyrock Entertainment, a local games company, included about a dozen booths that included sporting challenges like slap shots, basketball, Frisbee and soccer. Students won tickets that they could trade in for prizes like bracelets and neon toys. Those who participated in PARP were awarded additional tickets.

The at-home reading program began in October and finished in June. Students were awarded for the amount of minutes they spent reading.

Imani Findlay, 11, said that her preferences changed as the program progressed. She now gravitates to stories with more detail, although the books still have to be “really, really fun.”