New shelving units and bookcases need to be filled up with new books and magazines.
The new shelving units have been acquired by Cambridge Elementary School from the Kwik Shop and now the school’s principal is appealing to the local community for some help.
Shelly Logston is hoping that the bookcases and shelving can be filled with books and magazines donated from those living in the local area.
These books or magazines do not need to be brand new either as the school is happy to accept used items to fill its new shelves.
Speaking to The Cambridge Chronicle, Principal Logston said: “ The books and magazines won’t be monitored, unlike the books in the library.
“A student can just take one and read it, return it or not.”
This new system is being introduced to encourage more pupils to read and the school is trying its best to bring the reading scores of many children up to a higher standard. According to Ms Logston, the school’s pupils missed out on the reading mark by 0.3 of 1 per cent in one category, based on ISAT scores.
She explained to the local newspaper: “ We aren’t alone. About 80 per cent of the schools in the nation are having similar issues but we are doing everything in our power to change the outcome before it becomes problematic.”
To improve reading levels, the school has also starting using a “Word of the Day.” This involves one work being announced to the children first thing in the morning and this is then used in a sentence to demonstrate its meaning. Teachers will also use it throughout their lessons during the rest of the school day.
Pupils are also supported by having fifteen minutes to themselves throughout the day to read anything they want. This has been dubbed ‘Sustained Silent Reading.’