St Rose of Lima School staff encouraged students to dive headfirst into reading with the school’s annual Scholastic Book Fair, which ran from Monday, November 11 to Saturday, November 16, as well as several story time activities.

A few St Rose parents volunteered to help run the book fair, which was set up in the school’s library. Dozens of books filled the shelves and tables that lined the room. There was a wide variety of books on display, including traditional chapter books, graphic novels, coloring books, and cookbooks, as well as other items such as pens and journals.

With so many different books on display, St Rose staff believed that students were bound to find the perfect book for them. The main goal of the event, according to Director of Mission Advancement Laura Moulder, was to encourage young students to enjoy reading.

To that end, they wanted as many students to have a chance to read as possible. Moulder said they set up a service for the event called “Share the Fair,” where they raised money to buy books for those who might not be able to buy one.

St Rose staff had other reading-related activities in store for students beyond the book fair. St Rose Dean of Student Life Mary Jo Bokuniewicz read a book to the school’s transitional kindergarten students for story time on the morning of Friday, November 15. St Rose teacher Ashley Schaff had her students sit on the steps leading to the Monsignor Robert E. Weiss Gathering Hall, where they all excitedly looked at Bokuniewicz as she read.

Bokuniewicz picked the children’s book We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish by Ryan T. Higgens to read for their story time session together. She smiled and made funny quips as she read, asking the students questions about the book along the way.

After story time with Bokuniewicz, Schaff’s transitional kindergarten students got to visit the book fair and pick something to take home from a pile of preselected books. Later that same morning, St Rose Pastor Father Peter Cipriani read to some of the school’s kindergarten students.

St Rose staff and the parents running the book fair said that they felt these story time activities were a great moment for everyone to come together and enjoy a story.

“We love it,” Moulder said. “And [Bokuniewicz] is a big reader herself. She’s a reading specialist and is always big about books ... It’s just a great opportunity for everyone.”

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.