Almost 300 students in kindergarten through fifth grade were just shy of reaching their goal of 58,000 minutes of independent reading.
“It was close, but by Sunday they had done it,” said Ali Wheeler, co-president of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Jackson Elementary School.
Last year, students at the school read for 55,000 minutes, and as a prize their principal, Tracy Poduska, had herself duct taped to a school wall with the help of staff and students.
Jackson Elementary School students turn Principal Tracy Poduska into a sundae as a reward for more than 58,000 minutes of independent reading.
Photos by BRADLY J. BONER / NEWS&GUIDE
This year she decided to sweeten the pot. If students added 3,000 more minutes of reading this year, she would dress down to be dressed up as a real, live ice cream sundae.
So Thursday morning, Poduska, wearing plastic sandals, a Falcons T-shirt, wig, ski goggles and a baseball cap, sat in the center of the school’s rotunda as Wheeler and her team of parents arranged whipped cream cans, syrups, peanuts and, of course, the cherries to top things off.
“Congratulations on making your reading goal,” smiled Poduska to students who gathered around.
“Strawberry sauce!” gasped one first grade student. “I love strawberry sauce!”
This is a major fundraiser for the school’s PTO, which has focused on literacy. Money raised through the fundraiser rewards students with book prizes and and helps to fund books for students and staff during the PTO’s book fair. Using the website “Read-a-Thon,” students, teachers and parents can log and track reading efforts. As of press time Tuesday, students had logged 64,426 minutes of reading this season.
Jackson Elementary School students make a sundae out of principal Tracy Poduska as a reward for meeting reading goals.
BRADLY J. BONER / NEWS&GUIDE
“I think I have cookie crumbs running down my back,” said Poduska, still smiling as students continue to file through the hallway armed with sweet toppings and smiles of their own. In the corner a few teachers snickered and ask out loud, “Is there a shower in the school?”
Some kids hesitated to pile on, not wanting to hurt their principal.
“Are you kidding me? This is the most fun I’ve had all week,” laughed Poduska.
The event was livestreamed to all the classrooms during the event with the promise of ice cream sandwiches, which the PTO provided for a treat after lunch.
Students said on Thursday that some of their favorite books included “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” “Because of Winn Dixie” and the “Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.”
Jeannette has worked as an editor and journalist in the Greater Yellowstone Region for more than 20 years. She finds excitement and joy in watching her children explore wild places with her husband, Brad, and their red heeler, Rosie.
Brad Boner has worked as a photojournalist for 25 years and has directed the News&Guide’s visuals since 2004. He lives on the west side of the Tetons with his wife, two kids, a grumpy cat and Rosie the red heeler.
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