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Two MNW preschoolers complete reading program

Tucker, Lamphier read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

MANSON — Wyatt Tucker and Christian Lamphier are two boys who love to read. Both were recently awarded trophies for completing 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (1KB4K), a joint venture between the Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Preschool and Library.

Preschoolers enrolled in 1KB4K check out backpacks filled with 10 preschool-level books and take them home, where an older family member reads them each book.

Staff at the school keep track of which bags children check out so books aren’t repeated, and the readers get rewards after reading a certain number of books.

At home, children and their families keep track of how many books they’ve read with a poster designed just for MNW’s program.

Wyatt finished his 1,000th book in January, the first student of the year to reach the goal. He supplemented reading physical books from the program with digital books read on myON, a subscription-based literacy tool used at MNW Elementary.

Wyatt, the son of Wade and Angie Tucker of Manson, didn’t read these books by himself, of course. Angie Tucker gave much of the credit to Wyatt’s older sister, Lorna, a sixth-grader at MNW. Lorna was present when her brother received his trophy in March.

Christian Lamphier, son of Wesly and Michelle Lamphier of Manson, also achieved the goal of reading 1,000 books while in preschool. He received his trophy in late March.

MNW preschoolers are automatically enrolled in the program, which is in its fifth year. Other local preschoolers and even toddlers can be enrolled as well by contacting Teacher Librarian Christine Sturgeon to register and arrange delivery of the book bags.

MNW’s 1KB4K seeks to help strengthen early literacy skills by giving families access to high quality preschool-level books and to motivate young children to read.

The number of readers enrolled has increased each year, and with each new class of preschoolers, the students enrolled are reading more books. Wyatt and Christian are the second and third children to read 1,000 books in the program’s five years, and at least one more of this year’s preschoolers will likely follow.

Emma Peters, daughter of Justin and Brandi Peters of Palmer, was the first student to reach the milestone last year. Parents interviewed in 2017 for a formal program evaluation commented: “It has helped us remember to set aside time every night to read.”

Janet Olson-Egli, a veteran preschool teacher at MNW Elementary, said, “I love how motivated the kids are to read and to set goals. They are so excited when their friends hit milestones!”

To take part in or donate to MNW’s 1KB4K program, contact Christine Sturgeon at (515) 542-3211 or csturgeon@manson-nw.k12.ia.us.

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