OLM Students Celebrate “Read Across America” Day with “Wacky Sock Wednesday; OLM Library connected to RI Library Network
On Wednesday, March 2, Our Lady of Mercy School participated in Read Across America Day by showing their spirit and enthusiasm for reading in several ways. First, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ Fox in Sox, students and teachers donned “wacky socks” and proudly enjoyed seeing each others’ selections. A surprise visit by The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 was enjoyed by the First Grade and PreK students. Then, at 1:50 in the afternoon, the entire student body participated in 15 minutes of “DEAR” time – Drop Everything And Read. According to OLM School Librarian Christie Cambio, “Our long term substitute art teacher and first grade parent, Beth Brugnoli, arranged the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1, to visit our school. I was as surprised and equally thrilled as the children! The kids’ faces lit up so bright, you couldn’t help but smile along with them. Thing 1 reminded our students, “Reading gives you knowledge. And when you have knowledge, you go to college.” They got a kick out of that rhyme!”
In other OLM Library News, Mrs. Cambio is pleased to announce that the OLM library is now officially a member of RILINK, Rhode Island Literacy Information Network for Kids. Students and families now have the ability to search the OLM library database from home, while also enjoying an eBook collection of over 250 titles as part of the membership. Whether working on a research project or recreational reading, OLM students and teachers can access the eBooks on their personal devices at no charge.
The OLM Library also just completed its major fundraiser of the year, the Scholastic Book Fair. Students and parents not only purchased books for their own shelves, but also fulfilled teachers’ wish lists with generous contributions to the library and classroom shelves as well. In her first year at the school, Mrs. Cambio has created a monthly library newsletter, keeping parents informed of various activities and policies within the OLM library while also creating a stimulating reading and research environment for students in grades PreK-8. According to Mrs. Cambio “ A favorite Dr. Seuss quote of mine is, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.” There are some days that I wonder how we can compete with iPad games, movies and TV shows. But then the kids come into the library, wide eyed for story time, settle in on the rug and eagerly wait for me to reveal our book selection(s). I do the voices and we act parts out and together we get lost in mystery or adventure or life lessons. Story time is a magical time that just can’t be beat. It’s my favorite part of my day and definitely time well spent.”
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic elementary and middle school education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School offers its students an opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich provides a nurturing, values-driven environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
