Eden Central School was one of ten elementary schools in Vermont and New Hampshire selected for this year’s CLiF Year of the Book grant. The grant provides $25,000 in exciting literacy programming, family events, new books for the school and local public library, as well as TEN new books for each student to choose. This school year has brought many authors, illustrators, and storytellers to the small rural town of Eden, VT, including authors Jan Reynolds, John Churchman (and his dog Laddie) and Jim Arnosky. At least 80% of families returned Read to Me contracts pledging to read together at least twice a week and celebrated with an ice cream social and storytelling with author Marty Kelley. Students also celebrated “I Love to Read Week” with books over breakfast.
Librarian Audri Miller says, “I have been so excited by the impact the author’s visits are having on our students! I cannot keep any Jim Arnosky books on the shelf and now the Marty Kelley’s are flying. I see kids running their hands over Jim’s autographs and find them staring at the drawing he made us. I can see these visits are making long lasting memories for our students.”
The school chose the theme of “Building Community: at Home and Around the Globe” for their Year of the Book. Author visits, field trips and special programs, and lots of new books have helped students connect to the larger world outside their community. Each classroom focused on a region of the world and learned about it in-depth, and students shared what they’ve learned with their families at a school-wide event.
Eden students were also able to take special field trips to Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe to see the dance troupe Step Afrika perform. First graders also visited the Fairbanks Museum Planetarium to learn about moon cycles, and second graders visited a local beaver pond after reading Jim Arnosky’s book Beaver Pond Moose Pond. Additionally, third graders Skyped with popular author Jarrett Krosoczka.
One student says, “I have truly enjoyed the Year of the Book so far. I can’t wait to see what’s next. Thank you so much for the books, author visits and field trips.”
Another student says, “I really appreciate all that CLIF has done, not only to make our school spirit better but our whole community better!” That’s the goal!
WATCH OUR VIDEO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLIF YEAR OF THE BOOK!
And see the ten schools selected for the Year of the Book for next school year!
