Book Reading Competition

Posted by Evangeline Allen
 
Welcome to a very special occasion in the life of the Rotary Club of Antigua today.          
If you are planning for a year, sow rice, If you are planning for a decade, plant trees.  If you are planning for a lifetime, educate the people.  This year, with the Club’s focus being Literacy, we are pleased that we are able to create and stimulate competition by offering various literacy projects, today being the Book Reading Competition.
In September, we were able to provide a dozen students with back packs and back to school supplies.
At the start of the school year, we also started a Student of the Month Award where every month 3 students are recognized from Grades 1, 2 and 3 from the Golden Grove, GreenBay and Five Islands Primary Schools. 
The student of the month is chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership and academics. The student of the month must be a diligent student, completing his/her assignments on time, showing strong effort to learn the subjects.
The student of the month too must be able to demonstrate excellent behavior inside and outside the classroom, is well mannered, and respectful to both peers and teachers. Lastly, the student of the month shows exemplar character through his/her compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, optimism, and loyalty in creating a positive school environment.
Through this program, we have been advised that the students are all excited and as a result there has been a marked improvement in the students’ school work and even activities outside of the class room.  Rotary Club of Antigua is happy that we are able to assist in raising the standard and revive the student’s morale.
In January, We launched the Book in a Bag Competition which ran for three months.  This competition is designed to stimulate reading.  Students were given a selection of books under various categories to read within the assigned time frame.  Designated response activities were also assigned for completion after reading and Book reports were also presented on each read. 
THE WINNERS WILL BE PRESENTED AND AWARDED AT THE END OF THE COMPETITION TODAY.
 
Today, we will witness 9 students 3 each from Grade 5 of the Golden Grove, GreenBay and Five Islands Primary Schools compete in the Rotary Book Reading Competition. The goal of the Book Reading Competition is to stimulate, encourage and activate reading on a continuous basis.   Children love a challenge, so when we make reading into a competition, students who otherwise wouldn't want to read will be excited to read as much as they can. 
           
I wish to advise all the participants that you are all winners just for being here today. Do not be daunted if you are not placed, just keep on reading.  It’s one of the most marvelous adventures that you can have.
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.  The man who never reads lives only one.
 
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Antigua, please allow me to congratulate the esteemed teachers, parents and students of the Five Islands, Green Bay and Golden Grove Primary Schools on the excellent job you are doing to foster and promote literacy. I encourage you to continue to always strive for excellence in education and at whatever else you choose to do in life.
Rotary Club is eternally grateful to the corporate donors who partnered with us in this all important Literacy project….. National Tours & Services, Antigua Home & Office Depot, Antigua Commercial Bank, Big Banana, LTWS Shipping, Paperclips and Tucker on the Grill for making today a reality.
I personally would like to thank the Judges, especially Mrs. Jacintha Gore who when I called her on the phone was so warm and welcoming and shared her knowledge willing.  Truly depicting our Rotary International President’s Theme:  Rotary Serving Humanity.
And to all present here today, thank you for helping Rotary Club of Antigua to promote Literacy, one of the greatest gifts a person could receive.  Sit back, Relax and enjoy what we have in store for you today.
 
Welcome to a very special occasion in the life of the Rotary Club of Antigua today.          
If you are planning for a year, sow rice, If you are planning for a decade, plant trees.  If you are planning for a lifetime, educate the people.  This year, with the Club’s focus being Literacy, we are pleased that we are able to create and stimulate competition by offering various literacy projects, today being the Book Reading Competition.
In September, we were able to provide a dozen students with back packs and back to school supplies.
At the start of the school year, we also started a Student of the Month Award where every month 3 students are recognized from Grades 1, 2 and 3 from the Golden Grove, GreenBay and Five Islands Primary Schools. 
The student of the month is chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership and academics. The student of the month must be a diligent student, completing his/her assignments on time, showing strong effort to learn the subjects.
The student of the month too must be able to demonstrate excellent behavior inside and outside the classroom, is well mannered, and respectful to both peers and teachers. Lastly, the student of the month shows exemplar character through his/her compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, optimism, and loyalty in creating a positive school environment.
Through this program, we have been advised that the students are all excited and as a result there has been a marked improvement in the students’ school work and even activities outside of the class room.  Rotary Club of Antigua is happy that we are able to assist in raising the standard and revive the student’s morale.
In January, We launched the Book in a Bag Competition which ran for three months.  This competition is designed to stimulate reading.  Students were given a selection of books under various categories to read within the assigned time frame.  Designated response activities were also assigned for completion after reading and Book reports were also presented on each read. 
THE WINNERS WILL BE PRESENTED AND AWARDED AT THE END OF THE COMPETITION TODAY.
 
Today, we will witness 9 students 3 each from Grade 5 of the Golden Grove, GreenBay and Five Islands Primary Schools compete in the Rotary Book Reading Competition. The goal of the Book Reading Competition is to stimulate, encourage and activate reading on a continuous basis.   Children love a challenge, so when we make reading into a competition, students who otherwise wouldn't want to read will be excited to read as much as they can. 
           
I wish to advise all the participants that you are all winners just for being here today. Do not be daunted if you are not placed, just keep on reading.  It’s one of the most marvelous adventures that you can have.
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.  The man who never reads lives only one.
 
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Antigua, please allow me to congratulate the esteemed teachers, parents and students of the Five Islands, Green Bay and Golden Grove Primary Schools on the excellent job you are doing to foster and promote literacy. I encourage you to continue to always strive for excellence in education and at whatever else you choose to do in life.
Rotary Club is eternally grateful to the corporate donors who partnered with us in this all important Literacy project….. National Tours & Services, Antigua Home & Office Depot, Antigua Commercial Bank, Big Banana, LTWS Shipping, Paperclips and Tucker on the Grill for making today a reality.
I personally would like to thank the Judges, especially Mrs. Jacintha Gore who when I called her on the phone was so warm and welcoming and shared her knowledge willing.  Truly depicting our Rotary International President’s Theme:  Rotary Serving Humanity.
And to all present here today, thank you for helping Rotary Club of Antigua to promote Literacy, one of the greatest gifts a person could receive.  Sit back, Relax and enjoy what we have in store for you today.