Bournedale Elementary students at the ‘Bourne Bistro’ book tasting event to kick off Read Across America. (Photo Courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
A Bournedale Elementary student reading alongside her parent at Bourne Bistro. (Photo Courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
The ‘Bourne Bistro’ menu for Bournedale students and their families. (Photo Courtesy Bourne Public Schools) Place settings for the Fiction genre table for students and families at Bourne Bistro. (Photo Courtesy Bourne Public Schools)
BOURNE — Superintendent Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou and Principal Elizabeth Carpenito are pleased to announce that Bournedale Elementary has kicked-off Read Across America.
On Thursday, March 2, Bournedale Elementary kicked off the Read Across America program for all students, starting with guest speakers and a ‘book tasting’ event open to families and caregivers.
Bournedale students in kindergarten through second grade started the program with a virtual visit from children’s author Anna Staniszewski. Staniszewski is originally from Poland and teaches at Simmons College. Staniszewski has written over 25 children’s books and met with all kindergarten and second grade classes to discuss how she became a writer and the process it takes to become a published author.
Students submitted questions to Staniszewski and will receive signed book marks from her.
After school, Bournedale Elementary hosted ‘Bourne Bistro,’ a book tasting event for Pre-K through second grade students and their families to sample different genres of books. Bournedale’s cafeteria was transformed into a restaurant complete with tablecloths, candlelight and flower table settings, while staff members dressed in aprons in chef hats.
Students were able to sample from 10 genres of books and make their own bookmarks. About 30 families were in attendance and were able to discuss different genres of literature with students and had the opportunity to take home donated books.
“It was so special to see parents, grandparents and caregivers feasting on books and having conversations over different genres of literature at our Bourne Bistro event,” said
Pre-K through Grade 5 Curriculum Director Lisa Dix. “It was a fun and different experience for the district’s youngest readers and their families. We were extremely excited to kick off this program and have our students have an interactive experience to participate in while exploring new books and genres.”
Bournedale will participate in Read Across America through March 10, with spirit week beginning Monday, March 6. Spirit week will kick-off with the theme ‘Todays Readers, Tomorrows Leaders’ with special guests from Bourne Fire and Police, the Bourne School Committee and Central Office staff. Guests will read stories to students in Pre-K through Grade 2.
Additional themes for spirit week include pajama day, dress like a tourist day and dress as your favorite book character day.
“This program allows our students to explore new worlds and make connections through reading,” said Principal Carpenito. “The Bourne Bistro was a great way for our community to come together and support our students in a new unique way.”
“Bourne Public Schools are committed to making connections with the Bourne community, and Read Across America creates an opportunity for students to read new genres not only with their peers in the classroom but at home with their families,” said Superintendent Quinlan-Zhou. “Bournedale Elementary is an early literacy focused school and this is one of many creative ways that we nurture the love of reading for our youngest Canalmen”
For more information on Read Across America click here.
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