The Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School has prided itself on offering “brilliant beginnings’ for the students of Oyster Bay – East Norwich. The literacy program in particular is outstanding. Columbia University’s Teachers College has cited OBEN as model schools and teachers from all over have come to observe OBEN teachers in action.
In July of 2007, Gina Faust took over as principal and under her leadership the educational program has garnered acclaim and recognition. A sign of a good leader is one that understands the value of teamwork and collaboration.
Faust has developed a close working relationship with the OBEN Elementary PTA. The PTA has stepped up and has become an integral part of early education in Oyster Bay – East Norwich with their award winning PARP (Parents as Reading Partners) program, the Reflections Program and the many cultural events that they sponsor.
Recently the collaboration between the PTA and school administration came together in an exciting and entertaining way.
The PTA and Faust hosted a concert by the Oyster Bay High School singing group, The Dudes. The PTA even supplied every child with an official Dudes All Access Backstage Pass.
The PTA also brought Author Diane DeGroat to visit with the children to read and share her love of writing and reading.
The parents held a “Parent Read In” day where parents came into the classrooms dressed like rock stars and read to the kids and worked together on crafts.
For the Spring 2013 PARP program, Principal Faust challenged the school to read 40,000 minutes collectively during the from March 4 through March 22. If the children met the challenge, then Ms. Faust agreed to sing a song to the school in keeping with the “Rock ‘n’ Read” theme of the Spring PARP. PTA Mom, Marie Bahnik, wrote a song especially for the occasion called “It’s Always a Good Time.”
It is no surprise that the students rose to the high expectations and far exceeded the 40,000 minutes by thousands of additional minutes spent reading.
A great leader will also go out of their comfort zone for the good of the group. Faust was fearful for the weeks leading up to having to sing in public. In previous years, Faust has walked the plank and kissed a frog to meet the challenge. This was far worse for her.
When show time came she took the microphone and entertained the entire school and assembled parents with a professionalism that made everyone think she had been performing for years.
The students had a wonderful experience and are well on their way to becoming strong lifelong readers.
Here is the song written by Marie Bahnik.
Woah-oh-oh-oh
It’s always a good time
Woahoh-oh-oh
It’s always a good time
Walked down to the library yesterday
Looked at all the books they had on display
Picked one out to read with my parent tonight
Cause it’s always a good time..
We cuddled up close on my bed
Adventures start to fill my head
I’m down to share a good book tonight
Cause it’s always a good time
In the morning or at night
Any old time is just right
Grab a partner and hold tight
Cause any time you read with me
It’s always a good time
Woahoh-oh-oh Woah-oh-oh-oh
It’s always a good time
Woah-ohoh-oh Woah-oh-oh-oh
Any time you read with me, it’s always a good time.
Sat down with a pencil in my hand
Wrote a story of a distant land
Can’t wait to read it to my parent tonight
Cause it’s always a good time….
In the morning or at night
Any old time is just right
Grab a partner and hold tight
Cause any time you read with me
It’s always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh Woah-oh-oh-oh
It’s always a good time
Woah-ohoh-oh Woah-oh-oh-oh
Any time you read with me, it’s always a good time.
Doesn’t matter when… It’s always a good time
Doesn’t matter what…. It’s always a good time
Book or poetry…It’s always a good time
Write a story…its always a good time
Woah-oh-oh-oh Woah-oh-oh-oh
It’s always a good time
Woah-oh-ohoh Woah-oh-oh-oh
Any time you read with me, it’s always a good time.
