Read Around

Read Around 2022

The Seward Montessori Read Around is here! Read Around is our annual read-a-thon and school-wide celebration of reading. The 2022 Read Around will run for 4 weeks Monday, February 7 to Friday, March 4, 2022. During this time, Seward students are encouraged to read at home every day, recording this time on their Reading Record. There are also lots of in-school activities - guest author visits, mystery readers, PJ day, and more!

Reading Record and Pledge Form


Awards and Prizes

  • Students who turn in the Reading Record and meet their goal get a shark sticker and a prize

  • The top 2 readers in each grade get to attend a special event with Principal Ana

  • All students who read 1,500+ minutes get to attend special event with Assistant Principal Clare

  • Students who raise $50 or more also get a Read Around 2022 t-shirt

    • Select T-shirt size on bottom of pledge form


Important Dates

  • 2022 Read Around Reading Record: Monday, February 7 to Friday, March 4, 2022

  • Reading Record Due to teachers: Monday, March 7, 2022

  • Pledge Form and Donations Due to teachers: Friday, March 11 , 2022


Fundraising Goal

This is our largest PTA fundraiser to help raise money for our school and programs. Students are encouraged to ask friends and family to pledge money for their reading. Students who raise $50 also get a Read Around t-shirt.

From teacher grants to field trips to school community events, gifts make vibrant student experiences possible. Every gift – regardless of size – makes an impact. Donate online at www.givemn.org/story/Readaround2022 or with check or cash collected by students to help us reach our goal of $9,000.

Read Around donations help pay for:

  • Grants for class materials, books, curriculum, headphones, and many other things to help teachers and staff

  • Start-of-school checks for teachers, and coffee, treats, and gift cards to help keep teacher/staff spirits up

  • Materials for a new “movement room” at school for kids who need a break from their classroom

  • Field trips and other enrichment activities for all students


Reading Record Instructions

  • Download the Reading Record to record the number of minutes the student reads, or is read to, at home each day during the Read Around. Use your best estimate and count ALL reading: books, newspapers, magazines, even cereal boxes!

  • The student's teacher may supervise limited in-school time for reading

  • Reading Records should be returned to teachers by Monday, March 7, 2022

  • Reading Records must be kept by students until the Read Around is fully completed

  • Help your students set a goal

      • Suggested minimum daily minutes

        • Kindergarten 10 min/day

        • E1 15 min/day

        • E2 20 min/day

      • Record a maximum of 2 hours reading/day

      • My Goal: _______ minutes per day x 28 days = _______ total

        • Example: 20 minutes per day x 28 days = 560 total minutes


Pledge Instructions

  • Collect pledges using the Pledge Form until the Read Around is fully completed.

  • Return the Pledge form to your teacher by Friday, March 11, 2022.

  • What to say when seeking donations: I am participating in my school's annual Read Around. For four weeks in February and March, I set a goal to read [x] minutes or more at home each day. Our school goal is that all students will read every day. Would you be willing to support me as I read as much as I can to meet my goal? You can either pledge me per minute, or give a one-time donation. Thank you!

  • Pledges range widely! Pledges of $10-$25 are most common

  • Donate online at www.givemn.org/story/Readaround2022

  • Make checks payable to: Seward Montessori PTA

    • Seward Montessori PTA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization