On Friday, February 27th, Gateway celebrated Read Across America! The day was packed with festivities, in the morning Gateway students read to elementary students, then came back to Gateway to watch a movie, and finally, competed in Book Club annual character costume contest!
Gateway students had the chance to visit one of the four sending districts’ elementary schools– Westville, National Park, Wenonah, Woodbury Heights– to read to the students there. Morning of everyone, around 150 students total, shuffled into the cafeteria to receive classes and books for the day. They were given a folder with their book and a packet of activities to do with the class. One example was The Lorax by Dr. Seuss with word searches, bookmarks to make, and words to scramble!
This was all possible because of the dedication of several Gateway staff including Ms. Buehler and Ms. Bially! They worked to organize everyone’s different requests, and create age-appropriate activities that Gateway students could easily run.
By 9:20, everyone was loaded onto the bus and on their way to the respective elementary schools. Once there, they were greeted by the elementary school staff and had to find their classrooms. In the classrooms, students read the book, and led the elementary students in the fun projects.
This was an amazing opportunity to do something for younger students, and create long-term memories for them! One of the elementary students in grade 5, shared that she remembered all the Read Across America days and the books they read going back to 1st grade. Another 5th grader gave the high school students several new manga recommendations. Gateway students were able to connect with the elementary students, having conversations about what Gateway was like or their favorite books!
After Gateway students were finished in their classrooms, they had a chance to look around the elementary school. Many students choose to return to their old elementary school and so went looking for old teachers to talk to! Other students opted to wander the halls, remarking how much has changed in the few years they have been absent. Still other students found their siblings’ classrooms to stop by and say hi.
By 10:30, Gateway students got on the bus to head back, but the event was not done! Gateway provided all students who went on the trip pizza and the option to watch a movie during 3rd period and both lunches. By the time everyone got into either the library or lecture hall, ate several slices of pizza, and got down to the auditorium it was nearly noon. Then after a couple minutes of delay, they put on Shrek, which turned out to be a fan-favorite.
After the second lunch, the Read Across America trip officially ended but another event was just ramping up! Every year, Book Club puts on a character costume contest, open to all students and staff at Gateway. All Book Club members must participate, but sign-ups for everyone at Gateway were set out. It’s always a highlight for Book Club, an excellent way to show of their creativity!
The character costume contest consists of two flights, middle and high school, and is judged by the Book Club officers (Abria Joshua, Alora Robbins, Emma Kelly, Juliet Bender, Sage Knowles, and Valentina Malo,). There’s always a prize for the top three spots, and snacks for everyone! This year, Book Club also added a coloring contest, where when people were not being judged they could color and then the best color page was picked at the end. The winners of that contest also got prizes!
In the middle school flight, Olivia Marsden placed first as Heather Chandler from Heathers. Second place went to the group costume of Annalyn Ney, Charlize Mejias, and Idalia Canty as Tao, Elle and Nick from Heartstoppers. And in third place was Ava Pimpinella as Hermione Granger from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
In the high school flight, Maleah Caldwell dressed up as Sakura Miku and got first place. Devante Cabrera placed second as Springtrap from The Silver Eyes. Third place went to Jackson Smith as Farmer Jones from Animal Farm.
Overall, Read Across America was another massive success at Gateway! Many staff and students participated to make it unforgettable for everyone involved, and to give back to their local community.
