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Book Fair promotes reading for all ages

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Books, posters, and educational products for next week’s annual Scholastic Book Fair were expected to arrive at Nancy Smith Elementary School this morning, and volunteers plan to set up the displays before the end of the day, according to Parent Teacher Organization president Ginny Ivy.

“Our book fair is a reading event that brings kids the books they want to read,” Ivy said. “We’ll receive a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level, and all purchases benefit our school!” 

The Albany PTO’s traditional fundraiser is set for Feb. 11-15 in the grade school cafeteria and is also available online until Feb. 15. 

“Parents can come eat lunch with their children, then shop,” said Ivy. “There are designated days for each grade, but parents can come during lunch any day next week, or on Thursday evening.”

The theme for the event this year is “Dino-Mite book fair; Stomp, Chomp and Read!” 

Everyone is welcome to “stomp on down to the cafeteria, chomp down on some food, and forage for good reading materials” at the fair from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, Feb. 11-15. 

The book fair will also be open from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14 for those who prefer an evening option, added Ivy.

“The PTO gets a percentage of the profits from the book sales,” Ivy said, “We will also get a portion of the profits from books bought from the NSES book fair online at scholastic.com from Feb. 6 through Feb. 15. It is a great option for those who can’t make it to the school that week and for family members living out of town.”

Funds raised by the book fair are used by the PTO to help the school directly with all kinds of projects, according to the president. 

“Teachers are given a chance to look at the books and make a wish list for each of their classes,” said Ivy. “Those lists are posted at the fair, so shoppers can buy something specific for a particular class if they wish. Members of the community may also make contributions for books for the campus.”

Any parent or community member may attend the event at NSES and/or online and purchase books for their child’s classroom, the school library, and/or for their own children and grandchildren, even pre-school age. 

“We are very excited that this year we already have all of our book fair time slots covered,” said Ivy. “Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to come and help.”

Class Challenge

Jars labeled with each grade will be set up in the front hall of the school, and children are encouraged to donate loose change.

“This year each grade can win the ‘All for Books’ coin competition,” said Ivy. “We will give a prize to each student if their grade collects $50. Grades that raise $100 will be treated to an ice cream party, and those that collect $200 will get a pizza and ice cream party.”

The contributions are used to purchase books.

“We use funds raised by the ‘All for Books challenge’ toward stocking the school library, making sure that all kids have a book they can take home, and filling the teachers’ wish lists,” said Ivy. 

The book fair offers specially priced books and educational products, including new releases, award winning titles, children’s classics, and current best sellers.

In addition to books, there are DVDs, games, posters, bookmarks, and more.

For information about donating books, call the NSES office at 325-762-3384 or visit the book fair when it is open. 

“Reading for pleasure inside and outside of school has real and long-lasting benefits,” said Ivy. “Please come to our book fair and help shape your child’s reading habits. See you at the book fair!”

Scholastic was started by Maurice Robinson in 1920 as a classroom magazine and has since grown to be the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, selling approximately one-half of all the children’s books purchased in the US. The company’s mission is to encourage the intellectual and personal growth of all children, beginning with literacy.