When You Can Have Your Pie and Read it Too

Photos Courtesy of Pottstown School District

Luna Davilia, Lincoln fourth grader, prepares to launch a pie at her principal, Calista Boyer.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown School District

The students at Lincoln Elementary School understand that readers become leaders. 

Lincoln Principal Calista Boyer challenged her students to read 500 books by the end of the first marking period. 

Lincoln 4th grader Kailyn Pena is right on target with her pie.

Students not only met the goal but far exceeded it by reading 800 books during the first marking period.

All students who read at least 25 books became Lincoln Reading Stars and received a certificate along with a coupon for a free kid’s meal at Applebee’s. 

Their names were also placed in a lottery and Mrs. Boyer drew ten names of students who were designated as “pie delivery persons.” 

At a school-wide assembly, each delivery person had the opportunity to “deliver a cream pie” to Mrs. Boyer’s face.

Calista Boyer after

Calista Boyer before

The reading challenge was part of the “Books Are Your Ticket to the World" reading incentive program.” 

Lincoln students have a long history of exceeding every reading challenge they have been given.

Mrs. Boyer said, “I am more than happy to take part in any activity that encourages our students to become lifelong readers!”

Lincoln Elementary, Bigger and Better Than Ever

Photos by John J. Armato

Lincoln Principal Calista Boyer addresses the crowd.

Saturday was a busy day in Pottstown and one of the many things I would have liked to attend but did
not get to was the re-dedication of Lincoln Elementary School.

This is my neighborhood school (do we still say that in Pottstown?) and the school my son attended.

He was educated by many of the teachers in this the above photo and I will confess to having a soft spot for it.

But I was working the snack bar for the Pottstown Schools Music Association at the Pottstown/Boyertown football game and the one Mercury photographer working Saturday had about

The crowd listens to a speaker at the start of the re-dedication ceremony.

10 other places to be.

So I did what I always do when I can't get something covered, I go with Plan B and rely upon Public Relations Coordinator John Armato, who took photos and sent them to me despite the fact that I messed up his new iPhone trying to show him how to use Twitter.

Hey I didn't mean to do it, but, let's face it. I don't know as much as Twitter as I like to pretend I do.

Anyway, enjoy the pics and congratulations to Lincoln for opening on time.

Schools Superintendent

Jeff Sparagana

As many of you will remember, that was an open question earlier in the year when three elementary schools, Lincoln, Franklin and Rupert, were all supposed to be completed before the start of school.

Two of the schools made it, and work on Rupert continues while the students and staff stay in the former Edgewood building on Morris Street.

Hopefully, Rupert will be ready to open by the start of the next marking period, but only time and a late-running construction project will tell if that goal is attainable.

Third Grade Teacher Michael Koman, an excellent teacher of my son's, helps out with the fun and games.

More fun and games were set up up in the renovated school's all purpose room.

Between the Pages

First grader Tianna Williams

Edgewood first grade student Tianna Williams became the first student at Edgewood Elementary School to complete reading 25 books since the beginning of the school year.

A member of Corina Miller’s class, Tianna successfully completed reading 25 books at home.

Ms. Miller expressed pride in Tianna, “We are happy and encouraged by the fact that our students have learned to enjoy and appreciate reading at an early age. The doors to their future are open wide.”

Last year, Edgewood Elementary School students read thousands of books as part of a reading challenge set down by their Principal,  Calista Boyer.

 Last year each time students successfully met a challenge Mrs. Boyer took part in fun activities such as - kissing a pig, getting pied, and becoming a human banana split.

"I am more than happy to reward the students with some fun activities if it encourages them to read and become better students," she said.

Some of you may remember what happened last year when Edgewood students met Mrs. Boyer's reading goal.