Valley View full of activities during
Idaho Family Reading Week
December 2, 2015
by Julie Colson
Librarian, Valley View Elementary School

Idaho Family Reading Week was November 16-19, and Valley View Elementary School had a full week of activities. We began the week with Mystery Readers sharing their favorite books with a class. Principal Williams read, Baa-Choo! to our first graders, while Mr. Ron Smith read, Bubba the Cowboy Prince—A Fractured Texas Tale, in Mrs. Fuller’s and Mrs. Smith’s classes. Mr. and Mrs. Beck, retired teachers from Valley View, came back and read to kindergarten and fourth grade. Our other mystery readers included Pam Copeland, Sarah Binnall, Teri Roney, Jessica Vickers and Matt Dinning.

Tuesday, we began drawing for our ‘Favorite Adult to Read With’ contest and one winner was Chandler Swanson, a fourth grader who loves to read with his mom, Rebecca. Mom received a small gift and Chandler was given money for Scholastic books.

Wednesday was a blur of blue and green, as 15 peace officers from six government agencies came to read and interact with students for thirty minutes per class. Mark Gray and Lee Colson from the Forest Service read the classic, The True Story of Smokey Bear, always a favorite. Ms. Butcher and Mr. Higens from U.S. Customs read Curious George in Mrs. Alverez’s class, while Brian Johnson from Idaho Fish and Game told bear stories to Mrs. Davis’ class. Our other peace officer readers included: Chad Carle and Jeff Huff (U.S. Customs), Manny Figueroa, John Tucker, Scott Carver and Coby Lane (Border Patrol), Travis Stolley and Mike Martinez (Bonners Ferry City Police), Lucas Swanson (Idaho Fish and Game), and Rich Stephens (Boundary County Sheriff’s Office).

By Thursday, we were ready for some fun with a Popcorn Pajama Party Read-In for each class. Fourth grader Brenna Stewart and her mom Alison enjoyed popcorn and a good book in Mrs. Perez’s class. We also finished our drawings and Mrs. Schulte’s and Mrs. Fuller’s classes received a brand new book for each child.

Valley View would like to thank all the sponsors of Idaho Family Reading Week: Idaho Commission for Libraries, Bonners Ferry Rotary, Bonners Ferry Lion’s Club, and Bonners Ferry Eagles Aerie #3522. Of course, we could not have all the fun without the Mystery Readers, the Peace Officers, the Valley View PTO and the very helpful parents supporting our activities. For more information on Idaho Family Reading Week please go to: http://libraries.idaho.gov/ and explore their site.