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Published on 03/30/1998 All articles from this issue

Loyola students riding the 'Reading Railroad'

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By Mitzi Trumbo

Special to the Town Crier

Everybody's reading at Loyola School in Los Altos these days, thanks to a popular incentive program masterminded by Candy Dormer, the school librarian, and sponsored by the school's PTA.

Dubbed "The Reading Railroad," the program challenges each classroom to "climb aboard" and try to rack up the highest total of individual reading hours. Every student records the number of hours they spend reading (or being read to), and the record sheets are signed by a parent. At the end of the month, the scores are tallied and prizes are given to the winning classrooms in both the upper and lower grades. The prizes this year were a special lunch for the upper grade class, and a carnival lunch hour for the lower grade.

"This program encourages everybody to read more, instead of watching television," Dormer said. "It also encourages library use, which is a really important goal here. We have had great teacher support."

The students take this competition seriously, turning in their hours to Dormer continuously during the month, and excitedly checking the progress of their classrooms.

"Last year was the first year we had this event, and it was a huge success," said Principal Kit Cosgriff. "Parents were very excited about the emphasis of extracurricular reading and the enthusiasm of their children."

All aboard!