Elementary students rewarded for hard work with trip to skating rink

by Brooke Maxson and Tommy Verdon

This school year the elementary students have been working very hard to accomplish reading goals through their classes and the reading response intervention. It’s important to the faculty that the students improve upon their reading skills as much as possible, so it’s only fair to reward the kids for their hard work and dedication towards reading. Their reward was the opportunity to make a trip to the Hillsdale skating rink with the K-5th graders on Tuesday, April 14.

In order to be allowed to go skating, the elementary students had to accomplish certain reading goals. The goal was to pass four Accelerated Reader (AR) tests with at least 25 pages per book. Several students were allowed to go on this trip and it seems they all had a good time. “It was fun because all my friends were there,” explained elementary student Sarah Howell.

Even though it may hurt at times, falling is an important part in roller-skating. Though it gets frustrating, it still has the power to make us laugh. “It was fun because I fell!” laughed fifth grader Chelsie McCabe. She wasn’t the only one who experienced a few falls. “I fell six times; it was hilarious!” said fifth grader Danielle Mclouth. Some are, of course, more experienced with skating. “I fell zero times,” said proud fifth grader Alyssa Bowers. Even though the students had to read a certain amount to have the privilege of going skating, some thought it was a small price to pay. “We had to read 25 pages per book. It was very fun!” exclaimed McCabe.

Overall, the skating trip was a success. “It went very, very well. It was a lot of fun,” said a happy elementary principal and PAS superintendent, Mr. Shaw. This year the elementary students have many motives to do well in school and work hard to accomplish goals.