Pioneer school students play bingo to win books

Last week Pioneer Elementary School students celebrated reading week. The annual program uses a fun theme and activities to encourage students to read. .
 To celebrate and commemorate each book they read, each student made a paper ring for a paper chain to represent each book they read. The goal this year was to make a paper chain all the way to the corner by the cafeteria.
 Along with the encouragement to read, the students and staff participate in dress up days throughout the week. Tuesday was “inside out day”, Wednesday was “Tangled” day – also known as crazy hair day, Thursday was Moana day with a Hawaiian theme and Friday was Disney day so students and staff dressed as any Disney character of their choice.
 While the theme changes each year, the tradition of reading week, with its grand finale of Bingo for Books goes back over 18 years. Sponsored in part by an annual grant from the Weiser Education Foundation and other donations, the event allows students to play bingo to win books as prizes.
 Although usually an evening community event, this year the tradition was continued via Zoom during the school day for just the students at Pioneer Elementary School. Students played along in their classrooms. When they got a bingo they chose a book from the table set up at the end of their hallway. Most students received at least two books.
 Pioneer Elementary School Principal Susana Dickman shared that the reading week may have looked a little different, but it was still a great success.
 “Ariel Kanawyer is in charge of putting it together. She deserves a big shoutout; She does an amazing job,” Dickman said.