Holiday Park Elementary School (HP) teachers and support staff partnered with students to use the latest technology to encourage proficiency in reading as part of the Read Across America program. They will work with a user-friendly digital platform to promote the program and inspire a love for reading.

The group chose Flipgrid as the platform because it will allow students from upper-level grades to read books to students at Center and Pivik elementary schools. They participated in World Read Aloud Day which was held in February, and the momentum from that event spilled over to their participating in Read Across America, which allowed  students from all district buildings to step in as role models.

Maddox Roedersheim (6th grade), HP Student Government Association (SGA) president, says, “I thought it was so fun to see all the videos from SGA, 100 point club, and others. It was a perfect example of how reading can bring people of all ages together.”

Adleigh Haupt (2nd grade) said, “I loved the Flipgrids because I could hear the older students reading the stories and also because I can share them at home with my sister!" 

Overall, there were 91 responses and 8,387 views, equalling 684.7 hours of engagement. That’s four weeks and one day of engagement! It’s how long it would take a person to walk from Lisbon, Portugal to Athens, Greece! 

Mrs. Kelly Wickersty (Holiday Park Reading Intervention); Ms. Amanda Anderson (Holiday Park SGA Sponsor); and Mrs. Vicki Dziewulski (Holiday Park/ O'Block Library/ Media Specialist) spearheaded the experience for all students.