Ponca City Public School District Kicks off Spring One Book, One District Reading Initiative

All seven Ponca City elementary schools will kick off the district’s annual One Book, One District reading initiative for the spring semester on Feb. 16.

This is a community-wide book club which promotes literacy.

The spring selection is titled " The Cricket in Times Square" by George Selden. To date, the Ponca City Public Schools system has participated in three previous book clubs with the following books: " The Trumpet of the Swan," "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane ," and just this fall, " The World According to Humphrey."

Everyone in Ponca City — teachers, business owners, churches, grandparents, and community members — are invited to join the elementary schools in reading this great book. All participants can reap the benefits, which include building the family, promoting literacy, community collaboration and spirit!

Reading at home is valuable, because it better prepares children to be successful readers and it promotes the love and pure joy of reading. It is also a fun and worthwhile family activity.

During the three designated weeks, the Ponca City School District encourages families to shut off their television sets and spend time together as a family reading. A daily reading schedule can be found at www.pcps.us .

In school, students will be invited to answer comprehension questions based on the chapter read the night before. In class, teachers will incorporate various activities that explore the book throughout the designated reading period. Parents will want to make sure their family keeps up so their children can be included in the rich discussions that will take place each day at school.

“Our hope is that the One Book, One District initiative will enlighten parents to the benefits of reading aloud chapter books to their children at home as a continued family habit,” said Teri Vogele, Associate Curriculum Director for elementary schools. “We want to do all we can in the Ponca City Public Schools to promote reading routinely in our community. Look for banners posted at each school site to remind patrons of this reading initiative.”

Vogele said she challenges families and community members to join this initiative.

"When the whole district reads a book, there’s a lot to talk about. With the help of our families and community members, we can build a community of readers in Ponca City and prepare our students to be productive citizens in a global society,” she said.