Students in Christina Garley’s fifth grade classroom at Maple Avenue Elementary School have been reading books for a cause as part of their “Buck a Book” program. The reading incentive program encourages students to read on their own time and raise money for a cause they deem important.
For each book students complete and record in their reading log, they bring in $1 from home. Once $50 is collected, the class decides where to donate the money. The class chose Pandas International for their first $50 donation because the needs of animals are sometimes overlooked during the holidays.
Pandas International supports panda nature reserves in their native China through medical research, breeding programs, veterinary care, medicine and medical equipment. Pandas International also focuses on habitat preservation and education programs to increase public awareness of the panda as a highly endangered species.
The activity runs throughout the school year in Maple Avenue fifth grade classes. Maple Avenue Elementary School is located at W240 N6059 Maple Ave. in Sussex.