Help Make A Difference at Edison Elementary!
Edison Elementary School’s sixth annual Read-a-Thon will take place Monday, October 1st through Friday, October 19th, 2018.
During this two-week event, students focus on reading while raising money for important PTA-sponsored programs.
Your donations help make our school great!
Donations are closed for 2018. Thanks for participating! If you have questions about the program, or donations, please email readathon@edisonpta.org.
Read-a-Thon Kick-Off
On Monday, October 1, Edison will kick-off the Read-a-Thon with a full school assembly featuring local author – Elisa Kleven.
After the assembly, all students will receive their Read-A-Thon packet — an envelope containing instructions, tips for asking for donations, a reading and donation log board and a safari bookmark to use as a fun tool for all the reading!
Set a Daily Reading Goal
Students set a daily reading goal for the two-week period. All time spent reading outside of school. No in-school reading should be recorded. All reading outside of school counts, whether your child is reading or being read to.
Secure Sponsors
Students share their reading goal with family, friends, and neighbors and ask for a flat donation to support their efforts! Each student should try to raise at least $50 or ask 10 people for donations. Students record all donations whether check, cash, or an online donation in their reading and donation logs. Checks should be made payable to “Edison School PTA”.
It's really easy for donors to make online donations by credit card or Paypal using the form at the top of this page.
Track Reading Time
Read! Read! Read! Students mark off how many minutes they read each day in increments on their reading board. Parents and guardians may help students with this task.
Thank You Edison Students
Reading and fundraising is hard work! To thank our students, the reading log board has several incentives the students can reach along the way as they read more and more. If students raise at least $150, they will receive an Edison water bottle. The top 3 readers (most minutes read) in each class will earn a safari hacky sack and bird glider and the top fundraiser in each grade will receive safari binoculars!
Turn in Log and Donations
Students need to bring their Read-a-Thon envelopes containing their completed log board AND donations to their teachers on Friday, October 19. Logs and donations must be returned to their teacher no later than Monday, October 22nd or entry may not be considered for prizes.
Recommended Times
To make setting a daily reading goal easier, listed below are some sample times for each grade.
Please work with your child to set a daily reading goal that is a bit challenging, yet attainable given his or her reading level and ability. If you have questions about what is appropriate, please contact your child’s teacher.
| Kindergarten | 10-20 minutes per day |
| First Grade | 15-25 minutes per day |
| Second Grade | 20-30 minutes per day |
| Third Grade | 25-35 minutes per day |
| Fourth Grade | 30-45 minutes per day |
| Fifth Grade | 30-60 minutes per day |
Reading Strategies
Make this challenge fun for the whole family! Take a trip to the library and stock up on books that interest your child. Encourage and praise your child as they participate and engage in reading anything that is appropriate for their reading level.
For children in the lower grades, listening to adults or older siblings read counts as reading time. When reading with your child, ask recall questions about characters or details of the story in order to build his or her reading comprehension skills. Talk about the story and relate it to your child’s everyday life when possible.
For families with students in the upper grades, consider having them read in one room with others who are reading quietly — a family reading night! Or, try reading out loud as a family one night a week while rotating readers. Help strengthen your child’s reading skills by asking questions about his or her reading in terms of comprehension, recall of details, and discussing the book’s theme or ideas.
To parents, family members, and guardians, we encourage you to take the challenge of setting a goal and reading daily as well. Show your child that reading is important in your life too.
When our children see us reading, they learn the value and joy of it. Have fun reading.
Sponsor your child in the Read-a-Thon! You could also offer to match your child’s total collected donations or donations up to a certain amount. All donations are tax deductible!
Help your child write a handwritten letter or send an email to family, friends, and your colleagues using the template in your packet. Here are some sample letters and video to inspire you!
Help your child approach at least 10 family members, friends, or neighbors. Use the talking points found on the outside of Read-a-Thon envelope for guidance.
Ask more people for smaller donations of $5, $10, $15, and $20 in cash, check (made out to Edison PTA) or online at this page, https://edisonpta.org/fundraising/read-a-thon.
Help your child try to raise at least $50. Students raising at least $150 will receive an Edison water bottle. The top 3 readers (most minutes read) in each class will earn a safari hacky sack and bird glider and the top fundraiser in each grade will receive safari binoculars!
Donation receipts are available for any sponsors who would like them. To print copies of the donation receipt to give out to sponsors, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the dates of the Read-a-Thon?
Q: What does my child need to do to participate in the Read-a-Thon?
Q: My child cannot read yet on his or her own, can my child still participate?
Q: What counts for reading?
Q: Do I need special forms for the Read-a-Thon?
Q: Whom should my child ask to be a sponsor?
Q: How much money should a sponsor donate?
Q: When should the money be collected from sponsors?
Q: Who is responsible for collecting the sponsorship donations?
Q: What do we do with the Read-a-Thon Envelope when the Read-a-Thon ends?
Q: Are there prizes for the students?
Q: Can my child participate – even without sponsors?
Thank you for supporting and participating in the Edison Read-a-Thon!
Questions? Please email readathon@edisonpta.org