Children in grades one through four at Mt. Laurel’s elementary schools can read for the chance to ride a firetruck to school.
Students in Mt. Laurel’s elementary schools once again have a chance to get “Fired Up” during their upcoming winter break from school when the Mt. Laurel Library and Mt. Laurel Fire Department team up for their annual “Get Fired Up for Literacy” reading contest.
Now in its ninth year, the contest invites children in grades one through four at Mt. Laurel’s elementary schools to read for as many minutes as they can throughout their winter break.
With the contest, students are encouraged to read at home or visit the Mt. Laurel Library during their time off from school to read as much as they can during the winter break to keep their minds active.
In years past, contest officials have noted that students are more likely to read during their winter break, as opposed to their summer break, as time off from school in the winter isn’t as likely to involve vacations or too many outdoor activities.
As they read during the contest, students can use a special contest form to log all the books they read during their break, along with the number of minutes spent reading each title.
While students are allowed to choose their own books for the contest, many choose to read titles equal to or above their current reading levels.
Once the contest ends, the student who read for the most minutes in each grade level at each elementary school will be added to a special pool of four winners for their building.
A grand prize winner will then be randomly selected from each pool of four winners at each school.
Students who are randomly selected for the grand prize will be rewarded with the chance to ride to school one day in the new year on one of the department’s fire trucks.
According to contest officials, grand prize winners will receive a telephone call from the fire department before results are posted on the department’s website on Jan. 12.
Grand prize winners from previous years will not be eligible for fire truck rides.
Each student who participates in this year’s contest and reads a minimum of 60 minutes will also receive a special certificate.
According to contest coordinator James Moyer of the Mt. Laurel Fire Department, the contest encourages children to make a habit of reading for their everyday life.
“I believe most successful people in society tend to read in my opinion, and if there’s something we can do to help improve a child’s future, then holding this contest is a good thing,” Moyer said. “And what’s cooler than getting a ride to school on a fire truck.”
The contest begins on Friday, Dec. 22, the last school day before winter break.
The contest will span all of winter break and several days into the week when students return to school in January before concluding on Friday, Jan. 5.
Those interested in registering for the contest can visit the websites for the Mt. Laurel Fire Department or Mt. Laurel Library at www.mountlaurelfire.com or www.mountlaurellibrary.org.
Students must return their completed reading log to their school no later than Jan. 5.
Those with questions about the contest can contact Moyer at (856) 234–6053, ext. 5050.
