As part of its continuing efforts to encourage literacy, the St. Mary’s Academy elementary division has partnered with The Kiwanis Club of Pontchartrain (KCP) to implement a new program that incentivizes reading.  On Wednesday, January 16, members of the KCP will be on campus to kick off the Books for Bikes program which will run through May. Students in grades 2, 3 and 4 will participate in the initiative and will receive a free book  and book report form at the B4B kick off.

 When students complete their book reports, they return them to the teachers.  Proper grammar and spelling are encouraged.  One week prior to the end of the B4B session, KCP members collect the completed book reports, tabulate the results, and then let notify the school.

Each student who completes at least five book reports receives a certificate of participation.  Students who complete at least ten book reports also receive a $5 McDonald’s gift card. In each grade, the student who reads the most books wins a new bicycle, bike helmet, and bike lock.  Students must complete at least 15 book reports to be eligible to win the bike.  In the past, the total completed book reports for the winner ranged from 18 to 68 books.

KCP awards certificates and the bike at an awards ceremony hosted by the school.  All students from the competing grades attend the awards ceremony and parents are also encouraged to attend.  KCP announces the bike winner at the awards ceremony.