Friday, November 2, 2007

Reading popularity growing among G.P. Vanier students

Comox Valley Record: 2007 November 2

There was a whole lot of reading going on at G.P. Vanier Secondary School last week as staff and students got into Teen Read Week, an event designed to get students into the school library, and behind a book.

“We do different things to bring teens in and interact with the library in a different way,” said teacher-librarian Mary White.

“It’s to get students to realize we are a big part of the school — we’re the hub.”
The library resembled a fun fair more than anything else at times throughout the week as students celebrated reading in a variety of ways.

Student artists were on hand to draw caricatures of staff and fellow students, play games and even took over the library during a marathon “all you can read” event. One of the most popular events last year and this year was the inclusion of the Play Station 2 game Dance Dance Revolution, a perennial student favourite.

The events are organized by a committee of 10 students and two teachers.
“They decide what we’re going to do, and they help run it,” said White.

White said the event has become so popular she actually has a waiting list of students who want to participate.

“They have to get permission from their teachers to miss regular classes,” said White, adding the events are fun and rewarding for both staff and students.

Monday was also National School Library Day, which was celebrated at Vanier as well, and October was Canadian Library Month.

“”We’re promoting school libraries and the differences they can make for both literacy and development.” said White.

writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_north/comoxvalleyrecord/news/10960431.html