We kicked off our 2^nd annual One School, One Book reading initiative with help from some special guests.

Representatives from the AmeriCU Charitable Foundation, including mascot Sammy the Star, joined us at our North Broad Elementary site to help distribute books to our K-6 students and launch the community reading effort. Our guests stopped into several classrooms to personally present a book to each student and allow students an opportunity to say hello to Sammy.

The AmeriCU Foundation awarded MOBOCES a grant to purchase enough copies of “The One and Only Ivan” for each student and staff member in our elementary program. The grant included both the traditional chapter book for stronger readers and a picture book version for developing readers.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to AmeriCU for their generous support of this meaningful initiative. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring a high-quality shared reading experience to our students,” Elementary Programs Director Dr. Amanda Hopkins said. “Shared reading is especially valuable because it creates a collective experience that encourages discussion, collaboration, and deeper understanding.”

Over the next several weeks, students at all three of our elementary locations – Oneida, Verona and Morrisville – will read the book together and complete activities related to the topic and theme. They’ll wrap up the project by watching a movie version of the book to help students compare the two media. Once the project is over, each child will be able to take their book home to add to their personal collections.

“Providing each child with access to the same text fosters a sense of community and belonging, allows every child the opportunity to engage with the material, and supports the development of critical literacy skills,” Hopkins said.

The AmeriCU Foundation focuses on supporting organizations and projects in four key areas, including educational literacy. Executive Director Vanessa Szwejbka said her team loved the experience of meeting with students during the book distribution.

“The AmeriCU Charitable Foundation was truly honored to support the One School, One Book initiative for Madison-Oneida BOCES elementary students,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience to see AmeriCU staff personally deliver the books, read alongside the students, and share special moments with Sammy the Star, our mascot. The joy on the children's faces made the day unforgettable for everyone involved.”