Sky View Read-a-Thon: Giving Kids a Chance to Read

As part of the statewide Utah Read-a-Thon, Sky View High School held a “Pep Rally for Reading,” encouraging students and staff to bring and read a book during the 30 minutes set aside for the event. 

“There are so many things competing for our time now,” shares Sky View teacher Kelli Searle. “So to just sit and read for 30 minutes is awesome.”

As everyone took the time to dive into their books, the classrooms and hallways quieted down. Students were encouraged to wear pajamas to school to make participation even more fun and to help set the scene of getting comfortable with a great book.

“If a book gets a chance with a kid, they’ll take it,” says Martin Reader, the teacher most involved in preparing for the event. “Having this reading time really dovetails into the literacy focus that we’re doing, because they’re more willing and open to that instruction.”

Classes are competing to reach the highest level of engagement in reading, both in the classroom and at home with their families. The three winning classes get an ice cream party, one of the donations from local business partner Casper’s. Lee’s Marketplace also donated 1700 cookies for students who brought a book to school, with Cache Valley Fun Park and Lazy One donating rewards for families who get involved.

Logan Clark and Desirae Jo Andrew are both involved in leadership for TAG (Teen Advisory Group for the library) and were excited for the Read-a-Thon to bring more attention to reading. “We love finding fun and creative ways to get people to come into the library,” describes Logan.

“It’s really about getting kids to read,” says Desirae. “To show everyone that reading is cool and fun!” Sky View’s Pep Rally for Reading was one of their most attended and engaging pep rallies yet, bringing a focus on literacy to the classroom in an exciting way that gets students involved.

“We are the sum of every book we’ve ever read,” says Superintendent Todd McKee. “Events like this help us build a vibrant culture of literacy—inspiring our students to discover the joy, curiosity, and connection that reading brings both inside and outside the classroom.”