Yes, this is sponsored by a particular company. It is Usborne Books At Home using their "Reach For The Stars" Program. They have the catalog all prepared with over 1,200 books for the kids to choose from. It is very simple and the kids really get into it. Any local Usborne consultant can help you achieve great results.

You can seek further information at: www.ubah.com or www.usborneworld.com

Contact your local Usborne book rep (find one through: www.ubah.com/cat_ubah/cat-search.asp
and ask for an information packet on Reach for the Stars (RFTS). This is the program that offers 110% back to the kids and classrooms. I've done this a few times and it's east, fun, short (10 days) and is great incentive for kids to read. I think they have an average of 80% participation in ALL schools...even ones with extremely high levels of free lunch kids.

[ 06-09-2002: Message edited by: Suzanne in CT ]

[ 06-09-2002: Message edited by: Suzanne in CT ]</p>

Hi, sounds good, could you give us more details? thanks, maggie

Did you go with a company or pull this together your self? I want to get a reading program together but mot sure where to start. Our school has no family nights and the only reading program is a read-a-thon for a cancer hospital held in the winter. I liked the program talked about in an article in the PTOToday mag. (reading group like Oprah's)but don't know the first thing about getting one started.Where do you get the books,how do you pick the books and so on? Does RIF donate?I would love to hear how you all do yours! email me or post back or both any advice you can give&gt;
Christina This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our rural elementary school just complete our first, very successful read-a-thon this Spring.

There are a few flexible options, but what our PTO group decided to do was give 50% back in books to the participating students and 60% in books to the library. The students were challenged to read 300 minutes over a two week period and then collect pledges from their sponsors.

190 students participated (about 30%) and they raised $9,951. The students then had about $5,000 back in books and the new media specialist can pick out library edition books with $6,000 allotted.

It was very easy to do and the kids were really excited about reading. The really nice feature was that the students who did the reading but lacked in sponsorship could still pick out one free book for themselves. Everyone was very supportive of the event since it was so educationally based.

Next year, we are planning the event in February (I love to read month) and we will be taking the cash option for that one. The kids will still get 50% in books, but the PTO will gain 30% in cash with the remaining 20% in books going to the library. We are very excited about this program. As a PTO member who ran this event, I know it can work for anyone. You can seek further information at: www.UsborneWorld.com or www.ubah.com.

[ 06-08-2002: Message edited by: Rockne ]

[ 06-09-2002: Message edited by: Nadette ]</p>