Article and photo courtesy of Sheila Lashinsky, Monticello Kiwanis Club Publicity Chairperson
On Monday, June 9, members of the Kiwanis Club of Monticello visited the George L. Cooke Elementary School for a Reading Assembly and book distribution to ten second grade classes.
The books were selected by Doris Motl, retired fourth grade teacher and Monticello Kiwanian. She emphasized the importance that all the books donated by Kiwanis Club be given out to every second grade student for their summer reading pleasure. The children were super excited when they learned they were chapter books, which they were introduced to during this past school year.
Ms. Motl was accompanied by Jane Sorensen, Past Distinguished Kiwanis President as well as the current EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) Family Engagement & Program Manager of the Monticello Central School District. Mrs. Sorensen read a book entitled “Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon” by Patty Lovell. The book was about Molly being bullied in school and how she learned to gain self-esteem and overcome challenges and negativity from others. The children loved listening to the book and Mrs. Sorensen received a round of applause.
After the assembly, Ms. Motl and Mrs. Sorensen visited Mrs. Makayla Kilcoin’s second grade classroom where the children posed excitedly – each holding a chapter book.
In addition to the 200 chapter books given to the second graders, Mrs. Sorensen was given 30 picture books to distribute to families in the Tiny Town Program, which serves children from birth to three and their families. It is a partnership between the Monticello Central School District and the EPIC Program and is located at the St. John Street Community School.
For more information about Kiwanis, visit the Monticello, NY Kiwanis Club Facebook Page.