Heidi Johnson, principal at Kenwood Elementary School, gave her students a challenge: read 3,000 minutes in school during the 10 days of Kenwood's Read-A Thon, and I'll kiss a llama while wearing roller skates. Apparently, this was motivating to kids at all grade levels. Classes exceeded Johnson's goal by reading 3,682 minutes in school, and an incredible 138,457 minutes individually outside of school.
On March 14, Johnson made good on her promise. She strapped on her roller skates as four llamas joined the students at school for a joyful, hilarious and celebratory assembly in the school gym. Amidst all the excitement, the kids stayed calm so as not to upset the llamas and cause them to spit!
After the meeting, each class had a chance to visit with the llamas outdoors near the Kenwood Rec Center. Rumor has it that even local Animal Control par took in the joy, spotting the llamas as they drove by and stopping to get photos with them.
Each class received a class party reward, courtesy of Kenwood's PTA. Congratulations to Grand Prize winners Margot, Greta, Ash, Rishi, Lyra and Vivi an, who led their classes in minutes read outside of school. Twenty-three additional Grand Prize winners from each class were selected by random drawing.
Said Read-A-Thon organizer Michelle Kemp, a Kenwood resident and PTA volunteer, "Some thing that was really special about this event was how every grade level was so engaged and excited. To be honest — so were all the adults!"
For Johnson, it was totally worth it. "The llamas were so sweet, gentle and tolerant. I'd kiss them again in a heartbeat if it meant our students showing the passion and commitment to reading that they demonstrated this year!"
We wonder what challenge they'll think of next year...
