Mason Schools Foundation

The Great Reading Race

VROOOMM, VROOOMM!  START YOUR ENGINES!

The Mason Schools Foundation announces the 2012 Reading Challenge:  The Great Reading Race, sponsored by Kings Island.  Mason students in kindergarten through 6th grade will participate in a readathon, a challenge for a great week of reading and fundraising for the Mason Schools Foundation.  

January 27, 2012 is the date to start reading at Mason Intermediate (grades 4 through 6) and Mason Heights (grades 2 and 3).  Western Row (grades 2 and 3) and MECC (Kindergarten and 1st grade) will begin their Great Reading Race on March 1. Students will read for one week, racing to the finish.  If students are up to the challenge and can win the reading race, they will be rewarded to a great -- and crazy -- racing event by their principals and teachers.  Mason Intermediate is challenged to read 525,600 minutes in one week (the equivalent of one year) and Mason Heights and Western Row have goals of 200,000 minutes each.  MECC will be challenged to read 30,000 books in one week.  The race is on!

WIN, PLACE OR SHOW!

Every day during the reading week we will count the amount read, and one classroom within each grade will be declared the reading champion for the day, and will win a fun prize.  Students are also encouraged to procure sponsors for their reading, either for a lump sum or based on the amount they read.  Money will be collected and prizes distributed the week of February 6 for Mason Intermediate and Mason Heights, and the week of March 12 at Western Row and MECC.  Students will win prizes based on levels of fundraising:

Raise $25 to $50:  win 4 glowing finger lights

Raise $50 to $75:  win 4 glowing finger lights, and a flashing mohawk (2nd through 6th grades) or a galaxy spinner (kindergarten and 1st grade)

Raise $75 or more:  win 4 glowing finger lights, mohawk or spinner, and the VIP Pit Pass Experience

The VIP Pit Pass experience will be a special event tailored to each age group, to make these extraordinary fundraisers feel like real champs.  Mason Intermediate VIPs will have a special lunch and recess with pizza, sweets, and fun racing theme games.  (February 17, 2012).  Mason Heights and Western Row VIP fundraisers will attend a special lock-in with Principal Eric Messer on a Friday night, with food and games, while mom and dad can grab  dinner out.  (Mason Heights VIP Pit Pass will be February 24, 6 to 8 p.m. for 2nd grade, 6:30 to 8:30 for 3rd grade.  Western Row VIP Pit Pass will be April 20, 6 to 8 p.m. for 2nd grade, 6:30 to 8:30 for 3rd grade).  Kindergarten and first grade fundraising VIPs will be treated to a special ice cream party with their principals during the school day at MECC, on March 23rd.

Most of the money raised by the reading challenge goes into the Foundation’s endowment to fund grants now and in the years to come.  Thirty percent of the money raised at each building, however, will be returned to that building to fund building-based grants consistent with the charitable purposes of the Foundation.  

PREVIOUS READING CHALLENGES INDICATE THAT MASON STUDENTS

WILL FINISH STRONG IN THE GREAT READING RACE OF 2012!

The 2011 Reading Challenge --  We Read. . . Wii Rock! -- raised over $125,000.    Mason Intermediate raised more than $45,000, and received a partnership grant to supplement the Kindles for Kids program, allowing  MI to purchase 45 new Kindles.  Western Row raised over $22,000, and used their partnership grant to purchase a Smart Board.  Mason Heights students brought in more than $23,000, and used their partnership grant to update Accelerated Reading titles and testing materials.  The kindergarten and first grade at MECC raised over $37,000, and their school received a grant for additional teacher training through the Columbia Reading and Writing program.

In 2011, all buildings met their reading goals, and were rewarded by their principals with crazy events for all students.  At Mason Intermediate and Western Row, the principals released their inner rockstars for truly memorable and surprising rock concerts.  When Mason Heights reached its goal, Principal Eric Messer and P.E. teacher Andy Wilson took to the mat for an epic Sumo Wrestling match.  At MECC, when the students nearly doubled their goal, principals and a few teachers submitted to the MECC Slimemasters, with more than 50 gallons of slime being dumped on the heads of proud administrators.

Can Mason students meet the challenge one more time, and win the Great Reading Race -- forcing their principals to make good on promises to compete in their own races?  Join us for the Great Reading Race and find out!

 JOIN OUR PIT CREW

 Don't miss the race!  For more information, to volunteer, or to sponsor a reader, please contact Reading Co-Chairs Laura Peraino at lperaino@masonschoolsfoundation.org and Mindy Patton at mpatton@masonschoolsfoundation.org.