On Thursday, May 18, several staff members from Marietta Elementary School climbed up on top of the roof to celebrate a pretty impressive accomplishment.
In August 2022, right after school started, the district’s Library/Media Coordinator Robin Mayes issued a challenge to approximately 250 students in third through fifth grades: if the students read 10,000 library books, Mrs. Mayes and some other staff members would climb up on the rooftop of the elementary building.
“Not only did they reach that goal,” said Mayes, “they surpassed it, reading 10,574 books!”
After that, Mayes had no choice but to climb up on the rooftop and do the celebration up right. She recruited the high school band’s drumline to play as she, Principal Dana McMillin, Counselor Heather McMahon, and Library Aide Shanna Baker climbed up a ladder provided by a truck from the Shadydale Volunteer Fire Department’s fleet.
While the staff members were on the rooftop, they sent several things down to watching students who were standing at a safe distance. Among those things were water balloons, frisbees, bubbles, and candy. Students sent messages to their principal, counselor, and librarians via paper airplane.
In addition to seeing some of their favorite people on the rooftop, students were also treated to a snow cone.
“This definitely encouraged them to read more,” Mayes explained. “I think this is a vital age for independent reading. Students are learning so many comprehensive, textual, and informational elements from books, and we hope that this will encourage them to read more, but more importantly to enjoy reading books.”
Mayes and her colleagues know that reading is the most important factor influencing future success. It is the biggest predictor of career options and life income. Developing a love for reading now means that students will likely carry it with them throughout their lives.
Conversely, studies show that if a child is not reading at grade level by fourth grade, they are statistically likely to remain illiterate throughout their life. Not only do struggling readers experience higher levels of stress and feelings of isolation during their school years, but they also have a dramatically increased chance of dropping out of high school.
Because she understands that reading means a great deal to the future success of students, Mayes was willing to put her money where her mouth was and spend a little time on the roof of a building.
“We loved every minute of it and can’t wait to see what next year’s challenge will be,” Mayes said, “and when you hear, ‘This is the best day ever!’ that’s just the icing on the cake.”