Last month, Daly Elementary School in Port Washington launched a new initiative that had the entire school reading in unison. Through the One Book, One School program, every Daly family was given the book The World According to Humphrey for students to read at home and in school over the course of six weeks.
The Daly Home School Association generously donated the books. Each family read one chapter together at night, and teachers followed up the next day. To add a fun twist to the activity, trivia contests were held during the afternoons at Daly, with prizes awarded to the students who provided the winning answers. Taking the fun a step further, since the title character, Humphrey, is a hamster, Daly Principal Sheri Suzzan purchased a pet hamster that currently resides in the school’s library. Rather than just calling him Humphrey, a schoolwide naming contest was held, and the students are happy to call their new friend Mr. Cuddles.
In the midst of the One Book, One School reading party, The World According to Humphrey author Betty G. Birney sent over a video clip thanking the students for taking such a great interest in her book.
To close out the six-week endeavor in style, Daly Library Media Specialist Kimberly Pinto led a celebration assembly in which a student representative from each class participated in a game show to see who knew the most Humphrey trivia.
“It’s been a really terrific experience for the entire Daly community, including our pre-K students,” said Suzzan, who looks forward to making the One Book, One School program an annual tradition. Special thanks to the Daly HSA and all of the Daly families who helped make reading fun for the children.
