Murphy Elementary School Ranked #1 in the State of Missouri for Reading Minutes
Murphy Elementary School in the Northwest R-I School District has been named the winner for the state of Missouri in the Scholastic “Read-A-Palooza Summer Reading Challenge.” Sixty-nine students at the school who participated in the challenge read for 98,684 minutes, more than any other participating school in the state. Twenty-seven of the students read 1,800 minutes or more.
According to the Scholastic Kids & Family reading Report™, 7th Edition, 77% of kids age 6-17 and 94% of parents believe that reading over the summer helps kids during the school year. The 18-week program encouraged the students to enter their summer reading minutes online. The students were able to unlock digital rewards as they completed summer reading challenges.
“This recognition, achieved by Murphy Elementary students, is one that we are incredibly excited about,” said Ernest Motley, principal of Murphy Elementary School. “Reading over the summer is particularly important for student literacy since summer is typically a time when students read less.”
Library Specialist Stefanie Tisius coordinates the program at Murphy Elementary. She said that the school has been participating in the Summer Reading Challenge since 2013.
"Every year our students are encouraged to read and record their minutes over the summer. This year we had several students who made reading a goal over summer break and it showed. When schedules get busy, these students stuck with it and made sure reading was a priority,” she said.
Tisius encouraged the students to try for a top five position in the state this year, but was pleasantly surprised with their effort and earning the “Best in State” status.
“I am so incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. It is a true honor to have them recognized," she said.