For immediate release: November 5, 2024<\/p>\n
Douglas County Libraries and the DCL Foundation presented cash awards to four Douglas County schools and local nonprofit HawkQuest as part of DCL\u2019s 2024 Flock to the Library summer reading program. Larkspur Elementary School, Mountain Ridge Middle School, ThunderRidge High School, and Renaissance Secondary School each earned $500 for securing the most summer reading signups per school level in the program\u2019s school contest. HawkQuest was awarded $1,000 as the nonprofit recipient of the community reading goal.<\/p>\n
School contest signups were tallied via DCL\u2019s Beanstack online registration app. The school in each category with the most signups as a percentage of 2023-2024 enrollment earned the award.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to reward these schools for their commitment to reading and literacy. They have so much enthusiasm,\u201d said DCL Special Events Supervisor Kristen Kallio. \u201cThe bonus is, that enthusiasm helped get us to and beyond our community reading goal, which benefits a wonderful nonprofit partner,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Gratitude toward teachers for supporting summer reading efforts was a recurring theme among the winning schools.<\/p>\n
During the spring, Larkspur Elementary hosted a STEAM literacy event where Librarian Amie Shaffner and school staff hyped up all the reading programs available for summer, including DCL\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe prize we received from the Foundation will be used to purchase new books. I talked to students so they would have a voice in some of the books chosen, and they were so excited,\u201d she said. She also shouted out the students\u2019 parents and their dedication to their children\u2019s reading.<\/p>\n
At Mountain Ridge Middle School, Librarian Alicia D\u2019Antonio credits classroom teachers for spreading the word about summer reading. \u201cThis award would not be possible without their partnership,\u201d she said, adding that the prize money will be used for library updates that make it easier for students to independently search for library materials, as well as new books. \u201cThere\u2019s always room for more great books,\u201d said D\u2019Antonio.<\/p>\n
Librarian Kelly Shumaker said the teachers at Renaissance Secondary School thoughtfully curated a list of recommended books based on their personal favorites to inspire participation. \u201cThis honor truly belongs to them,\u201d she said, adding that teachers are eager to continue putting exciting and timely books in students\u2019 hands and are also looking forward to launching individual research projects with the prize money.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to see how eager students are to join [summer reading], especially with such fond memories from past years,\u201d said Stephanie Sjoland, Teacher Librarian at ThunderRidge High School, winner in the high school category for the third time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly grateful to both DCL and the Douglas County Libraries Foundation for supporting our schools through this initiative, as well as the many teachers who support our efforts to get students signed up,\u201d said Sjoland.<\/p>\n
Readers of all ages are encouraged to participate in summer reading and the community reading challenge, which benefits a local nonprofit if the reading goal is met. This year, participants exceeded the goal of 9.5 million minutes read by over a million minutes, benefiting HawkQuest in Parker.<\/p>\n
HawkQuest is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make education both meaningful and fun, while creating an atmosphere that fosters respect for the land and for the stewardship of all living things. According to Executive Director Kin Quitugua, the organization presented at 850 educational events last year and saw a million people.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of our prize money is going for bird food. This donation really helps,\u201d Quitugua said.<\/p>\n
Summer reading will return in June 2025, along with the school contest and community reading challenge.<\/p>\n
To learn more about the Douglas County Libraries Foundation, visit DCL.org\/foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.<\/p>\n