ARLINGTON – Terri Bookey has the perfect name for someone who loves reading.
As director of learning for Arlington Public Schools, she wants to instill that love of reading in students, too.
She hopes her “Books on Bus” idea will do just that.
“This is my baby,” she said.
If the first day June 17 is any indication, the novel idea will be a success.
The district took a school bus that was going to be surplussed, took out some seats, and put in some cushions. Teachers and paraeducators added posters and other decorations. Books were purchased and donated by school libraries and others. Bookey said the bus has about 5,000 books to choose from.
“We bought books of high interest to kids, like Minecraft,” Bookey said.
The bus will travel to six locations every Wednesday through Aug 19. Students will be able to check out up to three books each week. They get points for every book returned. At the end of the summer, those with the most points will get prizes.
Although the program is not targeted for English as a Second Language students, there were a number of hispanic kids who participated in the project at Presidents Elementary. Jose Garcia, who just graduated from kindergarten, proudly read out of a Spanish book to him mom, Bookey and interpreter-tutor Maria Pittson.
Bookey said research shows reading helps literacy so she wants books to get out to kids who may not have easy access to a library.
Many of the kids acted more like they were in a candy store than a library. They knew just what to do because through their Accelerated Reading program at school they are told to look for a certain color code to match their ability. President’s Elementary had dozens of kids on hand, thanks in part to the Arlington Boys and Girls Club having a summer camp there.
Bookey predicted Books on Bus will get even more popular.
“We’re going to have music like an ice cream truck, so they will know when we are here,” Bookey said.
Schedule: Twin Ponds Apartments, 9 a.m.; President’s Elementary, 10 a.m.; Bryant Community Church, 11 a.m.; Silvana Peace Lutheran Church, 12:45 p.m.; High Clover Development, 2 p.m.; 67th Street Mobile Estates, 3 p.m.
