The students, teachers and faculty at Midvale Elementary School in Tucker raised nearly $17,000 during a two-week read-a-thon in September, resulting in the staff dressing up as superheroes.
This is the third year Midvale participiated in the program. Any school can take part in the fundraiser to promote daily reading for students. The school also held the event in 2016 and 2017.
This year’s fundraiser brought in $16,953, a jump from its initial $10,000 goal and last year’s $4,800.
“The collaboration between our staff and our PTA was huge,” said Midvale Elementary School principal Tara Dougherty. “Our PTA actually said, ‘We’re gonna take this on. We wanna make it better this year — kind of revamp it.’”
Dougherty said this is where the non-monetary prizes came into play. The prizes were meant to spur the students on in their reading and to raise money for Midvale. The prizes ranged from extra recess time to a Silly String party and ultimately resulted in the teachers coming to school dressed as superheroes.
“We had a storyteller that came out and did an assembly for our kids just to get them started,” Dougherty said. “Once the classes had 100 percent participation, they did a hat day. So things like that, that don’t cost any money but that the kids really love.”
The money will go toward updating the school’s media center. Dougherty said the improvements may include new technology, tables, chairs, paint and resources among other things.
“Ultimately it benefits our building which makes our teacher’s jobs easier because they have the hardest job, and the most important job, in my opinion, probably in the world,” Dougherty said. “We’re all working toward the same goal which is to be the best we can be for our kids.”
In working toward that goal, the “superheroes” of Midvale were able to don their super-suits and embody the true heroes they are every day, all in an effort to encourage literacy and improve the students’ learning environment.
Who’s doing good?
Each Sunday, we write about a deserving individual, charity events such as fun-runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To suggest an event or person for us to cover,contact us at ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
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