One School One Read Sparks

‘Lemonade War’ In Sandy Hook

By Eliza Hallabeck

During two assemblies on Friday, October 1, Sandy Hook School students learned what this year’s PTA sponsored One School One Read book is, and it started a “lemonade war.”

“[Meg Horn’s] class has put a lot of work into introducing one of our best school traditions,” said Sandy Hook School Principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, before leading the audience’s attention to the students prepared with a skit for the assembled students.

As the students began the skit, one announced this year’s One School One Read book is “the story of a brother and sister, and how they spent their summer.”

One School One Read is a PTA-sponsored program that has each student in the school read the same book within the same one-month span. Hawley Elementary School also kicked off its One School One Read program this week. (See the related story in this week’s Bee.)

Sandy Hook School celebrates the book during the month with classroom activities and more. Families are also encouraged to read and discuss the book with their students.

Last year’s One School One Read book at Sandy Hook School was A Bear Named Trouble by Marion Dane Bauer.

As Ms Horn’s class continued the skit on Friday, students watching in the school’s cafeteria saw a group of girls and a group of boys create lemonade stands, hoping to beat each other by making more money.

When the skit neared its end, Ms Hochsprung returned to the center of the presentation carrying a framed cover of The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies. Ms Hochsprung said this year’s One School One Read choice will not only let students discuss the book, but it will also provide an opportunity to discuss math.

Friday was also Spirit Day at Sandy Hook School, and in art teacher Leslie Gunn’s classroom students worked to create their own Spirit Day hats.

While working on his Spirit Day hat, third grade student Jared Dunn said the day was fun “because we just had our One School One Read.”

Jared also said he is excited to read Lemonade War.

Third grade students Kyle Sullivan, Caitlyn Greenspan, and Kayla Verga all agreed Spirit Day was fun.

“Because you get to do really special things,” said Kyle, “and it’s the One School One Read.”