Mystery Readers at Washington Primary School

Washington Primary School is in the midst of a reading campaign. Every Tuesday in March features “mystery readers” visiting classrooms and reading excerpts from their favorite books.

Washington is going crazy for reading. This year’s Pick-a-Reading Partner program is well underway. The entire PARP initiative at the school is sponsored by the Washington PTA, which is generously supporting the program on every possible level.

“As we continue to celebrate PARP our reading partners take time out their busy schedules to read to our ‘Washington Winners,’” Principal Dr. Michelle J. Richards said. “Family members and friends read interactive and interesting stories. It is an opportunity to nurture family and community relationships with our students. Books are selected by the mystery reader from our classroom library or school library. Washington Winners and teachers look forward to seeing who the week’s mystery reader will be.”

“PARP, developed in 1978 by State Senator James Donovan, is a program that cements the necessary bond between the home and the school to encourage love of reading in our children,” according to the New York State PTA.

“Learning to read is the single most important activity in a child’s education,” states the New York State PTA. “Studies show that children who read at home are better prepared to succeed in formal education. PARP is a program that asks a partner (parent, grandparent, babysitter, older sibling, cousin, friend, etc.) to read with a child for at least 20 minutes daily.”