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No Comments [ Add Comment ]Bringing in the Bookmobile / West Weber Elementary gets a two-week visit from a very large library on wheels
By Loretta ParkWEST WEBER -- Talin Fisher's eyes grew big Thursday as he entered the semi-trailer filled with books, smelling like fresh wood and decorated like a pirate ship.
"This is awesome," said Talin, a fifth-grader at West Weber Elementary.
Talin received the "Presidential Reading Award" from Small Smiles, a nonprofit free reading incentive program for elementary schools.
Talin, who likes the "Unfortunate Events" series, also received several prizes, including a $200 check to spend at Toys 'R Us as well as a $1,000 scholarship for college.
His reading teacher, Kathy Dimmick, was also honored.
"Talin was below grade level significantly," Dimmick said. "But through hard work and enthusiasm, he's now reading 30 more words per minute and comprehending."
Dimmick's eyes also grew large when she saw the hundreds of books lining the wooden shelves inside the bookmobile and the free activities available to get children excited to read.
"This is really cool," said Sam Matson, a third-grader from E.G. King Elementary in Layton, as he and his parents toured the bookmobile, which is sponsored by Small Smiles.
The organization held its third annual reading ceremony at the school, honoring 20 elementary students from Alpine, Davis and Weber school districts for reading improvement. Students submitted essays about how reading has changed their lives.
The bookmobile was then unveiled in the school's parking lot. Volunteers spent the past year building it, said John Bergman, co-founder of Small Smiles.
The bookmobile will stay at West Weber Elementary for the next two weeks. While it is at the school, students can check out a book to keep for themselves, Bergman said. The bookmobile plans to donate 1,000 books a month to students in the community.
During its open house today and Saturday, school administrators can visit it and sign up for one of the slots for a bookmobile visit or call Bergman. Besides giving each student who enters its doors a book, the bookmobile will bring $200 to each stop to help reading teachers buy new books for their school.
Dimmick said $200 doesn't sound like a lot, but schools get a discount through Scholastic Books, which allows them to buy books for $1 each.
Riverdale Elementary Principal Maloy Hales said he plans to sign up to bring the bookmobile to his area.
"I'm seeing more kids struggling with reading than in the past," Hales said. "There's just not a lot of encouragement at home. I'm not getting down on parents because I know they're busy, but reading is not a primary activity any more."
The bookmobile will generate excitement with his students, he said.
"Anytime we can get a student close (to a book) or in a book, we all win," he said.
The Bookmobile
Small Smiles Bookmobile open house will be held at West Weber Elementary, 4178 W. 900 South, West Weber, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
To sign up for the bookmobile to come to a school, call 726-3346 or go to www.SmallSmilesReading.com.
Local winners of the Small Smiles essay contest:
RILEY BARNESLakeside Elementary
SOPHIA BINGHAMRiverdale Elementary
PHILLIP FERNANDEZWasatch Elementary
TALIN FISHERWest Weber Elementary
REI HARRINGONClinton Elementary
SAM MATSONE.G. King Elementary
CODY MITCHELLBluffridge Elementary
CARSON NIXE.G. King Elementary
JESSICA OPPERMANLincoln Elementary
KATILIN SCHAUGAARDUintah Elementary
JARED VANMATRESouth Clearfield Elementary
JADEN WOLFEMountain View Elementary
BRIANN YATESWest Point Elementary
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