Kiwanis Club gifts chapter books to second-grade students

Students in Ms. Shopes class stand together smiling and holding booksMembers of the Monticello Kiwanis Club visited second-grade students at the Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School to personally deliver a large donation of chapter books for the students to enjoy over the summer break.

“I don’t know who was more excited, the Kiwanian members distributing the books or the children receiving the books,” Kiwanis Public Relations Chairperson Sheila Lashinsky said. “We thank Mr. Prisco, Ms. Bitjeman, Ms. Kavleski, Ms. Shope and their awesome students for the warm welcome and hospitality.”

students stand together holding books The Monticello Kiwanis Club was represented by retired Monticello Central School elementary teachers Doris Motl and Ellen Nesin, former school board member Martha Johnson and Kiwanis Public Relations Chairperson Sheila Lashinsky.  They are also all Kiwanis Board Members as well.  

 “Literacy is at the very foundation of academic success, which is why it is so critical for our students to develop a love of reading,” Superintendent of Schools Tammy Mangus said. “We are grateful to the Kiwanis for putting these books into the hands of our little learners so that they can spend their summer months intrigued and inspired.”