By Gary Weckselblatt
Quakertown Elementary School held its first of five QE SLAM nights of the summer Monday at the Quakertown Branch of the Bucks County Free Library.
With the support of the library, Quakertown Rotary and QE’s parent organization, each student received a bag filled with four books and a bag of chips.
SLAM stands for Summer Literacy at Michener, and all first graders were invited to the important event. On July 22, second graders have the opportunity for a fun night out from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders will follow as the SLAMs continue through August 12.
“This is an awesome opportunity to say hello during the summer, and for the students to meet their teachers,” QE Principal Dr. Michael Zackon said.
Indeed, several teachers were on hand to greet their future students and help with the transition to first grade. They included Suzanne Altner, Karen Groller, Jeff Palen, Renee Reynard, Katie Riley, Wendy Somers. Guidance counselor Eileen Bruchak, and school secretary Jan Detweiler also took part in the activities, and Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner stopped by to meet everyone.
The goal of the night is to further connect QE students with the Quakertown Library, remind them about the importance of literacy, have them read to by adults and get books in their hands.
“Kids learning to read is fundamental to all learning,” said David Freeman, CEO of Quakertown National Bank and chairman of the Quakertown Rotary Foundation and Youth Exchange. “This is really a great opportunity for us to see the kids and their parents, and it’s a lot of fun.”
Nicole Savitsky, the children services librarian, also spoke with the students about why summer reading is so important. She also shared information about the library’s summer reading program and how all readers can earn badges.
The library is located at 401 West Mill Street in Quakertown.
Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District. He can be reached at 215-529-2028 or [email protected].