|
|
 |
 |
Richland Source
Flashlight Fridays
light up reading at Sherman Elementary School
Nov 16, 2018
MANSFIELD -- Students at Sherman Elementary School are about to finish
each week in the dark, but they will keep on reading.
Flashlight Fridays have come to Sherman, thanks to the creativity of
Robin Burkhardt, library media professional, and the generosity of a
local businessman.
“Flashlight Fridays is a motivation for kids to read more,” said
principal Michael Brennan. “Who doesn’t remember the fun of using a
flashlight to read under the covers or in a corner of their darkened
room?
“Each Friday at 3 o’clock we will turn out the lights for 30 minutes in
first-, second- and third-grade classrooms so students can select books
and read by flashlights.”
When Burkhardt decided to promote Flashlight Fridays she turned to Neil
Hamilton of the Hamilton Insurance Group for help. Hamilton provided
300 small flashlights for the project.
“Mr. Hamilton gave a lot of support when I was (the librarian) at
Woodland,” Burkhardt said. “He has always been helpful to our schools,
so I went to him first.”
Hamilton, in turn, praised Burkhardt’s enthusiasm for motivating
students.
“She’s such a strong asset to Mansfield City Schools,” he said.
Hamilton joined Brennan in Melissa Hanner’s classroom, where Brennan
explained Flashlight Fridays to her students. Their enthusiasm was
obvious.
“Why do you think people like Mr. Hamilton want to help our schools?”
Brennan asked.
A girl raised her hand. “He wants us to learn,” she said.
Brennan asked Hamilton to explain why he wanted to provide the
flashlights.
“You are all going to be the future leaders of our community,” Hamilton
told the third-graders. “The more you learn, the farther our community
can go.”
Brennan distributed flashlights to the students, each of whom selected
a favorite book and a favorite spot to read. Then the lights were
turned off and the room got quieter.
The rehearsal for Flashlight Fridays was underway.
|
|
|
|
