Reed’s Accelerated Readers Dunk Teachers In Celebration Of Reading

By Eliza Hallabeck

For the second year in a row, Reed Intermediate School’s Accelerated Reader students were rewarded for meeting their reading goals throughout the school year by having the chance to dunk their teachers, and school Principal Sharon Epple, into a tank of water.

The dunk tank was donated to Reed for use during the Wednesday, June 15, event. 

“We’re celebrating reading at Reed,” said library/media specialist Virginia Snowden, “independent reading. Our kids have read 26,000 books this year, 4,000 more than last, and they are doing an amazing job.”

Ms Snowden said students made individual goal each marking period at Reed.

“The kids who made those individual goals and met them all three marking periods are going to get a chance to dunk their librarian or their principal,” said Ms Snowden, before stepping out for her entrance as one of the dunk tanks many victims during the school day on Wednesday.

Ms Snowden was the first to climb into the dunk tank for the day’s celebrations, but Dr Epple, physical education instructor Mark Gerace, fifth grade teacher Peter Bernson, and others soon followed.

As Reed staff waited on a plank above the tank of water, students stepped up individually to test their throwing accuracy by hitting a button to release their instructors into the water.

Student Kevin Riccardi was the first to dunk Ms Snowden. He said he was surprised when his throw made was the first to hit the mark. Kevin also said he read “a lot” of books during the school year, and felt “really good” for dunking Ms Snowden in water.

A slideshow of the event is available at www.newtownbee.com.