Celebrating Reading Month at NHA Schools
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
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March is Reading Month, which means books were front and center for scholars all month long. Check out how some National Heritage Academies (NHA®) schools celebrated reading:
Achieve Charter Academy
Achieve Charter Academy scholars and their families gathered for Literacy Night and were immersed in the Candy Land board game theme. During the event, scholars could make their own book, play board games, participate in Reader’s Theater, view a poetry slam, or visit the book exchange room. Author Jim Benton was also on hand to host a Meet the Author session, and scholars received a free book and were able to have Benton sign it. Canton Township Rep. Ranjeev Puri and school board president Richard Gordon also came in to read to classes.
Apex Academy and Stambaugh Charter Academy
Scholars and their families at Apex Academy and Stambaugh Charter Academy attended Reading Night with Bluey. There were exciting nights full of reading of reading, and students were able to meet and take pictures with one of their favorite characters.
Bennett Venture Academy
Bennett Venture Academy hosted a Family Reading Event, inviting families to school to read with their scholars. In addition to reading together, families had the opportunity to play English Language Arts games together and even take some home. Select middle schoolers helped facilitate games, while others played a variety of word games.
Canton Charter Academy
Scholars and their families gathered for Canton Charter Academy's Family Reading Night. The event featured a voice artist performance and also had stations to play a variety of games based on words, phonics, and reading. Scholars took home bookmarks to use when they read their next book.
Grand River Academy
WDIV meteorologist Ashlee Baracy visited Grand River Academy and read kindergarten-through-third-grade scholars her favorite children’s book about weather, “Oh Say Can You Say What’s the Weather Today?” Students also had a question-and-answer session with the Baracy, and 10 lucky students were given a free copy of Dr. Seuss’ weather book.
North Dayton School of Discovery
North Dayton School of Discovery welcomed Ohio State Sen. Steve Huffman into school, where he visited multiple classes and participated in kindergarten’s reading time. Three eighth-grade students led a tour of the school, showcasing the school’s vision and achievements. These scholars were able to ask Huffman questions, such as: “What steps do I need to take to become a lawyer?” Student/Family Liaison Kevin Bartlett said these visits are important because it is a chance for the school and its scholars to connect with community leaders. He added: “It is important to make connections with local leaders so they can see firsthand our school’s daily routines.”
Ohio State Senator Steve Huffman (back left) visits with North Dayton School of Discovery principal Victoria Simmons (back right) and scholars Marquinn Blake (back row, middle), Addison Bennett-Crowder (front row, right), and Joyce Espoir (front row, left).
Pinnacle Academy
Pinnacle Academy hosted a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party for scholars and families. During National Right to Read Week, the school celebrated reading and the prolific children’s author Dr. Seuss. The Cat in the Hat made a special appearance, and scholars were excited to take photos with him. Scholars engaged in party games such as musical chairs, freeze dance, and Simon Says, while stations with coloring pages and puzzles were also available.
Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy
Scholars got the opportunity to read with a local law enforcement official, Officer Andy. He went around the school and read to scholars of all ages, traveling from class to class, nurturing his partnership with Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy at each stop. Scholars were also visited by mystery readers throughout the month, and even celebrated with a Dress Like A Book Character spirit day.
Ridge Park Charter Academy
Scholars at Ridge Park Charter Academy had a special visit from NHA employee Sarah McCormick. Sarah, who previously wrote a children’s book about losing her sense of smell, read from “Ollie the Owl” and spoke to students the importance of making wise choices. "Ollie the Owl" is book one of a nine-part book series that Sarah has written as a part of NHA’s Moral Focus Curriculum.
Sky Ranch Academy
Sky Ranch Academy scholars celebrated Reading Month with some fun, engaging activities for scholars. In a second-grade class, local author Sia Y. Chandler read her book “Luke the Loving Dog!” to students virtually. Second-grade scholars also transformed their space into Camp Read-a-Lot, reading their favorite books while “camping” and ate s’mores mix to get the full campground feel.
Timberland Charter Academy
Scholars at Timberland Charter Academy welcomed Michigan State Rep. Will Snyder to read to classes. Snyder shared the magic of reading and inspired students to keep exploring the world through books. The school also hosted a Grown-Ups and Donuts event in which parents and scholars came together, and the power of reading was front and center.
State Representative Will Snyder reads to Timberland Charter Academy scholars.
Walker Charter Academy
Third-grade students at Walker Charter Academy welcomed WOOD-TV meteorologist Matt Kirkwood as a special guest reader. Scholars were excited to read with Kirkwood and eager to ask him questions on a variety of topics.
WOOD-TV meteorologist Matt Kirkwood reads to scholars at Walker Charter Academy.
Westfield Charter Academy
Scholars and their families gathered at the Redford Library for a Night at the Library. They toured the freshly renovated library and went on a scavenger hunt around the children’s sections. Westfield Charter Academy also hosted its second annual Battle of the Books in which over 30 students competed. Six teams were tested on their knowledge of three assigned books at an event open to families and staff. Members of the top two teams all took home a book, a Barnes & Noble gift card, and a “winners” medal.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA®) is a network of more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
Achieve Charter Academy
Achieve Charter Academy scholars and their families gathered for Literacy Night and were immersed in the Candy Land board game theme. During the event, scholars could make their own book, play board games, participate in Reader’s Theater, view a poetry slam, or visit the book exchange room. Author Jim Benton was also on hand to host a Meet the Author session, and scholars received a free book and were able to have Benton sign it. Canton Township Rep. Ranjeev Puri and school board president Richard Gordon also came in to read to classes.
Apex Academy and Stambaugh Charter Academy
Scholars and their families at Apex Academy and Stambaugh Charter Academy attended Reading Night with Bluey. There were exciting nights full of reading of reading, and students were able to meet and take pictures with one of their favorite characters.
Bennett Venture Academy
Bennett Venture Academy hosted a Family Reading Event, inviting families to school to read with their scholars. In addition to reading together, families had the opportunity to play English Language Arts games together and even take some home. Select middle schoolers helped facilitate games, while others played a variety of word games.
Canton Charter Academy
Scholars and their families gathered for Canton Charter Academy's Family Reading Night. The event featured a voice artist performance and also had stations to play a variety of games based on words, phonics, and reading. Scholars took home bookmarks to use when they read their next book.
Grand River Academy
WDIV meteorologist Ashlee Baracy visited Grand River Academy and read kindergarten-through-third-grade scholars her favorite children’s book about weather, “Oh Say Can You Say What’s the Weather Today?” Students also had a question-and-answer session with the Baracy, and 10 lucky students were given a free copy of Dr. Seuss’ weather book.
North Dayton School of Discovery
North Dayton School of Discovery welcomed Ohio State Sen. Steve Huffman into school, where he visited multiple classes and participated in kindergarten’s reading time. Three eighth-grade students led a tour of the school, showcasing the school’s vision and achievements. These scholars were able to ask Huffman questions, such as: “What steps do I need to take to become a lawyer?” Student/Family Liaison Kevin Bartlett said these visits are important because it is a chance for the school and its scholars to connect with community leaders. He added: “It is important to make connections with local leaders so they can see firsthand our school’s daily routines.”
Ohio State Senator Steve Huffman (back left) visits with North Dayton School of Discovery principal Victoria Simmons (back right) and scholars Marquinn Blake (back row, middle), Addison Bennett-Crowder (front row, right), and Joyce Espoir (front row, left).
Pinnacle Academy
Pinnacle Academy hosted a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party for scholars and families. During National Right to Read Week, the school celebrated reading and the prolific children’s author Dr. Seuss. The Cat in the Hat made a special appearance, and scholars were excited to take photos with him. Scholars engaged in party games such as musical chairs, freeze dance, and Simon Says, while stations with coloring pages and puzzles were also available.
Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy
Scholars got the opportunity to read with a local law enforcement official, Officer Andy. He went around the school and read to scholars of all ages, traveling from class to class, nurturing his partnership with Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy at each stop. Scholars were also visited by mystery readers throughout the month, and even celebrated with a Dress Like A Book Character spirit day.
Ridge Park Charter Academy
Scholars at Ridge Park Charter Academy had a special visit from NHA employee Sarah McCormick. Sarah, who previously wrote a children’s book about losing her sense of smell, read from “Ollie the Owl” and spoke to students the importance of making wise choices. "Ollie the Owl" is book one of a nine-part book series that Sarah has written as a part of NHA’s Moral Focus Curriculum.
Sky Ranch Academy
Sky Ranch Academy scholars celebrated Reading Month with some fun, engaging activities for scholars. In a second-grade class, local author Sia Y. Chandler read her book “Luke the Loving Dog!” to students virtually. Second-grade scholars also transformed their space into Camp Read-a-Lot, reading their favorite books while “camping” and ate s’mores mix to get the full campground feel.
Timberland Charter Academy
Scholars at Timberland Charter Academy welcomed Michigan State Rep. Will Snyder to read to classes. Snyder shared the magic of reading and inspired students to keep exploring the world through books. The school also hosted a Grown-Ups and Donuts event in which parents and scholars came together, and the power of reading was front and center.
State Representative Will Snyder reads to Timberland Charter Academy scholars.
Walker Charter Academy
Third-grade students at Walker Charter Academy welcomed WOOD-TV meteorologist Matt Kirkwood as a special guest reader. Scholars were excited to read with Kirkwood and eager to ask him questions on a variety of topics.
WOOD-TV meteorologist Matt Kirkwood reads to scholars at Walker Charter Academy.
Westfield Charter Academy
Scholars and their families gathered at the Redford Library for a Night at the Library. They toured the freshly renovated library and went on a scavenger hunt around the children’s sections. Westfield Charter Academy also hosted its second annual Battle of the Books in which over 30 students competed. Six teams were tested on their knowledge of three assigned books at an event open to families and staff. Members of the top two teams all took home a book, a Barnes & Noble gift card, and a “winners” medal.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA®) is a network of more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.