By Jessica T.
Sixth grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
This year marks the 36th anniversary of Chizuk Amuno Congregation’s Krieger Schechter Day School (KSDS), and this milestone is being celebrated with a series of events related to the number 36, or double chai.
One event, a book-reading challenge, encourages middle school students to read novels meeting specific criteria such as a winter setting, a minimum of 500 pages and a Black Eyed Susan Award winner.
Sonia Kozlovsky, school librarian, and Andrea Mitton, a middle school English teacher, created the program to encourage and foster a love of reading.
Kozlovsky notes that students “can challenge themselves to read 36 books, one in each category, or be challenged to read as many books as possible in the different categories. …. The nice thing about it also is that even if a student or faculty member only reads one book, that also contributes to the whole because you’re part of a community of readers building up to that 36.”
According to Kozlovsky, “Our school has been living for 36 years, so we would like to honor that by getting people involved and inspired by doing activities that relate to the number 36.” Many students and faculty already have contributed to this program. Kozlovsky adds, “Many of us read to find pleasure in our own lives, and reading also has lots of benefits. I already see a lot of excitement for reading. I am really hoping that kids will not only come to the school library to choose books, but also where they have access to them, like their public library or their home libraries.”
Upon completion of a book, the student fills out a Book-Head-Heart form, which includes the author’s name, book title and information about the text. The student then summarizes the content for the class and completes a short form that is ultimately displayed on the “Wall of Celebration.”
The wall, located outside of the school library, is covered with 36 green-and-purple sparkly ribbons, and students clip their forms to the ribbon matching the book’s category.
“I think already I see a lot of excitement for reading,” says Kozlovsky, who hopes the program will generate excitement for students and faculty members. “But part of the fun is recommending books to younger readers.” T
This event will be continuing throughout the academic year.
A few other special events planned for this year include the Steam Showcase, Mitzvah Day, and the KSDS Shabbaton, which will take place on March 2-3, 2018. This 36th year promises to be one of festivities, community building and giving back.
Top photo by Jessica T.
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