High Schoolers Participate in the Read-A-Thon

 by Sam Levenson, SSLI '27

These past two weeks, the students in the elementary school have participated in a Read-a-Thon, where they are encouraged to read as much as they can to celebrate the joy of reading. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade are all learning and becoming better readers throughout the week.

With the help of elementary school teacher Ms. Marrache, a few high school students were able to participate in the Read-a-Thon by reading with the kids in elementary school to earn community service hours. This was a great opportunity for all high schoolers and helped bond lower and upper school students.

Junior Yael Pedram volunteered by reading to the kindergarten students. Pedram said, “Sasha and I read the book Corduroy to the kindergarteners." This was an especially meaningful experience for Pedram because she got to read to her younger brother, who is in kindergarten.

Sasha Chernoff, a junior, also enjoyed reading to the students since she wanted “to read to the elementary school students and have them get excited when a guest speaker came to read to them.”

The high school students participated in the Read-a-Thon as a part of being members of Kesher Club in the upper school. Chernoff, the president of the club, shared, “I’m participating in the Read-a-thon because I'm the president of Kesher. In the past, we have spoken to Ms. Marrache to have Kesher members read to elementary school students.”

The students have the Read-a-Thon as a way for them to grow, learn, and become stronger readers. Pedram explained, “I think it's important for people to participate in the Read-a-Thon to keep traditional books going from generation to generation and make sure younger kids know the value of a good book.”

Chernoff sees the importance of reading from a young age. She concluded, “I think it’s important for elementary school students to read in the Read-a-Thon to further their knowledge.”

Sam Levenson is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since October 2023. Sam is currently a freshman at the Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: slevenson27@schechterli.org.