The children were encouraged to bring in their bears for the reading of two books about teddy bears.
SAVOY, Mass. — School Librarian Maggie Donahue is doing something different this year.
Each month, Donahue reads a different collection of books to her students at Emma Miller Memorial Elementary accompanied by some sort of activity to make reading a multisensory activity.
"You know, kids obviously aren't reading as much as they used to, and it's hard when you realize what books have to compete with," she said. "Shiny screens and all that, outdoor activities, and everything."
Donahue does her part to bring the books to life and this past Monday she dressed in green corduroy overalls and bear ears to match the day's reading selection "Corduroy," about a teddy bear, and "Teddy Bear Picnic."
Donahue served Teddy Grahams and blueberries and before opening one of the books asked each student to introduce the stuffed animal or teddy bear they brought in for the occasion.
She said she hopes reading this way engages the students in different ways. She said at the very least, all of her students were excited about the books.
"I was really surprised so far. I mean preschool and kindergarten students loved it, but my fifth and sixth graders all showed up every one of them had a bear and enraptured in these books," she said. "Sixth grade is middle school, and they were all about it. I think when you get older it's nice to kind of revisit that childhood."
Students were excited about the snacks as well as being able to introduce their teddy bears. One student was happy to be sitting on the floor picnic style for "Teddy Bear Picnic."
She said she drew inspiration from her own childhood. When reading "White Fang" her father lowered the heat in the house and snacked on beef jerky. When reading "The Hobbit," she said he would blow smoke rings to accompany Gandalf's entries.
"My parents read to us all of the time, dramatically and it was always a big thing," Donahue said. "I don't remember ever not loving books or not loving reading, and I read to my son the same way."
She also acknowledges that it isn't always easy for parents to find time to read to their children.
"Parents don't always have the time or energy, and these kids have different sports schedules and housing schedules. I know it can be hard," she said.
She said she hopes to inspire a love of reading citing author Ty Allen Jackson's "Read or Else" advocacy.
"He says there is a direct correlation between literacy and reading fluency and incarceration. That's bold," she said. "Reading is so important; it's such a gift. These kids can build their imaginations, and it can improve their lives in so many ways."
Donahue said she has books lined up for the next few months including "The Powers of Poppy Pendle" by Natasha Lowe. She said they will hold a witch, bakery-themed day. She said the author also plans to visit the school.
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Adams Picks Select Board Candidates; Cheshire Nixes Appointed Assessor
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — Voters chose incumbent John Duval and newcomer Ann Bartlett for the two open seats on the Selectmen.
Bartlett, a co-owner of the former Red Carpet Diner, garnered the most votes at 791, more than 300 above the other three challengers, and Duval was returned for another three-year term with 685.
Incumbent Howard Rosenberg's decision sparked a five-way race for the two seats. Coming in third was Jerome Socolof with 465, Mitchell Wisniowski with 446 and former board member Donald Sommer with 367.
All results are unofficial.
Wisniowski did win a seat on the Parks Commission and Michael Mach outpolled challenger Timothy Kitchell Jr. 887-407 to stay on the Planning Board.
Frederick Lora appears to have bested Jennifer Solak as Adams representative to the Hoosac Valley Regional School District by 10 votes. The unofficial tally is 814-804, with Lora gaining 674 votes to Solak's 620 in Adams; the voted flipped in Cheshire with Solak winning 184-140 but not enough to overcome the gap. Robert Tetlow Jr., running unopposed, was returned as the Cheshire representative.
Write-ins for Board of Health and Redevelopment Authority, which had no candidates, were still being tallied.
That wasn't all, of course, as she was applauded for her 30 years overseeing the town's elections and vital records. There were plenty of hugs and some tears for a closing out of her long career.
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Listening to Little list off all the specialized components he sells and installs, from public safety lighting to municipal warning lights and radio communication, his technical knowledge and experience shines through.
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Selectmen Chair and 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and Christine Hoyt has been nominated for the April Community Hero of the Month. click for more
Specialty Minerals is expected to pay $299,000 for a discharge of calcium carbonate into the Hoosic River nearly three years ago in a consent decree with the Attorney General's Office. click for more
The Adams Beautification group, which has been quietly sprucing up the town since 2022, hopes to bring in more members of the community during a community cleanup day scheduled for Saturday, April 27. click for more
Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School history teacher Alla Chelukhova has been selected as the April Teacher of the Month. click for more