Literacy comes alive for Struthers Elementary School students

STRUTHERS — Students at Struthers Elementary School kicked off Right to Read Week with a guest author/illustrator meeting each grade in virtual meetings.

Right to Read Week encourages students to practice their reading skills and celebrate literacy.

Henry Cole, author of more than 15 books and illustrator of dozens more, met virtually with students from kindergarten through fourth-grade.

Cole shared how he fell in love with drawing, talked about the first storyline he created in school and showed his skills in action. He listened to questions from students and shared his knowledge, experience and even a sneak peek at his artwork for an upcoming release.

"Each year, during Right to Read Week, we have had the great opportunity to bring in an author or an illustrator to speak with our students about what they do," Sandi Horvath, literacy coordinator for Struthers City Schools, said in a news release. "Teachers spend a week or so before the event reading the books these folks have written and illustrated and discussing them with their students.

"The children and staff, too, get really excited to be able to meet, ask questions of, and find out about these authors," Horvath said. "It's a great way to kick off Right to Read Week, fueling an enthusiasm for books and reading along the way."

The school's annual Read-a-Thon concluded in February, with nearly 200 students reaching or exceeding their reading goals during the program.

Each student who met the reading goals established for their grade level received a gift certificate for a Chick-fil-A kid's meal or chicken sandwich.

Students who met their reading goals also will be entered into a drawing for a set of wireless devices (including a pair of headphones and a mouse). Two sets of wireless devices will be given away in each grade level.

This story was originally published March 10, 2021 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Literacy comes alive for Struthers Elementary School students."