Christina Garley’s fifth-grade classroom at Maple Avenue Elementary donated $50 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund as part of its “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 or whatever they can from home. Once $50 is collected, the class decides where to donate the money. The class chose the American Red Cross because its International Response Fund helps the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquakes in Chile and Haiti. The funds will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.
The program, which runs throughout the school year, encourages Maple Avenue fifth-graders to read while helping others. Since the start of the “Buck a Book” Program in 2006-07, fifth-graders in Garley’s classes have donated $250 to various organizations. Parent feedback regarding the program indicates that it has been successful in motivating students to read.
Maple Avenue Elementary School is located at W240 N6059 Maple Ave. in Sussex.