IUS kicks off Read Across America Week Published March 5, 2008 By Lt. Col. Ann Stefanek 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Approximately 150 Incirlik Unit School students as well as their younger siblings participated in the IUS Parent Teacher Association's Family Reading Night Feb. 29 to celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birthday and to kick off Read Across America Week. "This was a great example of the PTSA and community coming together to support our school," said Kelli Hardy, PTSA president. "This year we really focused on getting the word out and we had a super turnout from the community." Many of the older students, teachers and parents worked together to organize events to encourage reading among the students. Events included puppet shows, children's-book bingo, a book walk, and reading rooms offering a different story every 20 minutes. One of the highlights of the evening was a scavenger hunt in the IUS library which was organized by Ms Bertrand, elementary school librarian and her Library Helpers Club. The scavenger hunt accommodated both readers and pre-readers. The library helpers played a key role in setting up for the scavenger hunt. "We helped Ms Bertrand make maps and test out the scavenger hunt to make sure it made sense to everyone who was going to play during Family Reading Night," explained Payton Hanson, a 5th grade library helper. "Everyone had a lot of fun running around trying to find everything on the list." Also, in an effort to spark the children's imaginations, elementary school students were encouraged to dress up during the school day as a character from their favorite book culminating with a parade around the school. This activity helped launch discussions among the students about which books they've read and why they are their favorites. "I think we had a really successful day," Hardy said. "It was great for the kids to see they could have fun with books." Read Across America Week runs through Mar. 7.