Valley Grove Elementary School students were given nearly 3,000 free books this week as a part of the school’s summer literacy bag drive-thru.
A line of vehicles snaked through the elementary school’s parking lot Wednesday as parents drove their children to pick up bags filled with about a half-dozen books each.
“We’re trying to do something for summer literacy… Keep them reading,” said Melissa Wolfgong, the school’s reading specialist.
Kids smiled as assistant principal Tessa Simmons greeted them each by name, and teachers Tammy Kline and Julie Plumer delivered books.
Book selections were divided based upon grade level and gender to make sure the students could all get something they would enjoy reading, Wolfgong said.
Along with the books, students also got drawstring bags, stickers and reading resources and were entered to win door prizes like gift certificates, puzzles and pencils if they arrived at Wednesday’s event, Wolfgong said.
She added that the kids who didn’t show up would still have their books delivered to them at school.
Since the students didn’t have an in-person book fair this year, Wolfgong said the district’s parent-teacher association (PTA) combined its usual book donation with Title 1 funding acquired by Wolfgong.
Wolfgong thanked the 15 volunteers who helped with Wednesday’s event which included teachers, principals, PTA members and paraprofessionals. Wolfgong also singled out Jeff Rodgers, who manages the McDonald’s in Franklin, for donating gift certificates.
She also specially thanked Stephanie Gordon, Sarah Baughman, Terri Carson, Quincey Wood and Scott Harry for helping choose books and pack the literacy bags.
“We’ve been packing books for a month,” Wolfgong said.
