We are excited to share that Stratton School is launching our One School, One Book program! This special initiative brings our entire school community together through the shared experience of reading the same book.
This year, all students and staff will receive a personal copy of Because of Winn-Dixie to keep. This heartwarming story follows a young girl named Opal who moves to a new town with her father. Feeling lonely and unsure, Opal’s life changes when she adopts a stray dog she names Winn-Dixie. Through her adventures with the dog, Opal meets new friends, learns about kindness and forgiveness, and begins to better understand her father and her own story. It is a touching and often humorous book about friendship, community, and finding connection in unexpected places.
Each Tuesday morning from April 28 through May 26, we will gather as a whole school and break into cross-grade groups. During this time, students will participate in discussions and activities connected to the book. To help everyone stay on track, we will provide a suggested reading schedule each week so that all students can fully engage in these shared conversations.
We are also excited to kick off our Bikes for Books program, generously sponsored by the Mount Bigelow Masonic Lodge #202. For every book (or class agreed-upon number of pages) a student reads, they can fill out a slip to enter into their classroom’s Bikes for Books box. At the end of the program, one name will be randomly drawn from each box. Winners will receive a bicycle, and middle school winners will receive an electric scooter!
To celebrate our reading journey, we will host a schoolwide event on May 26. Students will once again meet in their cross-grade groups to watch Because of Winn-Dixie (rated PG). We will also enjoy a fun “Punch Party,” complete with pickles and fruit punch—just like in the story!
We are looking forward to this program as a wonderful way to build community, encourage a love of reading, and create shared experiences across all grade levels.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued support!
There are also “Lorenzo Hats” (baseball cap style) available for $20 donation. Reach out to Jesse Hughes at jhughes@strattonschool.org if you would like to get one of these.
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