Hillcrests Reading Program

Our school’s reading program, funded by the PTO, encourages students to embrace reading through a variety of fun and engaging monthly challenges. Each month offers a new reading challenge, designed to keep students motivated and excited about reading.

Monthly Challenges & Themes The program features a mix of long and short challenges. Some months include logging daily reading minutes, while others offer quick two-week reading marathons. We also introduce creative bingo-style reading logs. Every month, a unique theme guides the challenge, often inspired by seasonal events, holidays, or even the rewards up for grabs.

Incentives & Awards Students in grades K-2 and 3-5 have their own award categories, with K-2 classes competing for the most reading logs submitted and 3-5 classes competing based on total minutes read. Some months focus on overall participation, with awards recognizing all grades.

Past Rewards Have Included:

• Extra recess
• Hot cocoa bar
• Root beer float bar
• Pizza party
• Baseball tickets

Annual “Rule the School” Challenge As a highlight of the year, the May reading challenge brings the excitement of the annual Girls vs Boys Rule the School Day. This two-week reading frenzy determines which group will take over school leadership for a day, with the event taking place in mid-May to avoid conflicts with other year-end activities.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact our Committee Chair Heather Piwonski-Dickinson.