On Thursday , Feb . 15 , Union County Public Schools ( UCPS ) kicked off the 2018 Books and Brackets reading challenge with a pep rally at Indian Trail Elementary . The pep rally , which was held for more than 200 third and fourth graders , featured special appearances by the school ’ s mascots as well as Sun Valley High ’ s drumline and basketball team .
Books and Brackets , which is patterned after the March Madness basketball competition , allows all 30 of the school district ’ s elementary schools to compete in a five-week reading challenge . During last year ’ s inaugural Books and Brackets challenge , third graders across the district collectively read 26 million minutes , which equates to more than 430,000 hours . Those students , who are now fourth graders , will join current third graders at their school as they compete against other schools to win the 2018 Books and Brackets Championship .
“ For the next five weeks , you all , as third and fourth grade students , will read as many minutes as you can . At the end of every week , we ’ re going to bring it down from all 30 elementary schools to the Sweet 16 , to the Elite 8 to the Final Four to our champion ,” UCPS Superintendent Dr . Andrew Houlihan said as the students cheered .
During the pep rally , Indian Trail Elementary third grader Kateleyn Bernier talked to her peers about her plans for this year ’ s challenge .
“ I ’ m so excited and proud to compete in this year ’ s Books and Brackets competition . My goal is to go from reading 30 minutes a night to 60 minutes a night by Feb . 22 ,” she said . “ I can ’ t wait to start reading .”
4 • Mar / Apr 2018 • Parent Teacher Magazine
It ’ s that time again : Books and Brackets is back !
On Thursday , Feb . 15 , Union County Public Schools kicked off the 2018 Books and Brackets reading challenge with a pep rally at Indian Trail Elementary .
Books and Brackets , which is patterned after the March Madness basketball competition , allows all 30 of the school district ’ s elementary schools to compete in a five-week reading challenge .
To add excitement to the competition , third grade students from the top eight schools will be honored at Wingate University on March 23 with a special program . Students will participate in activities with the university ’ s basketball team and other athletes , meet college students and tour the campus . Fourth graders who earn a spot in the Final Four will receive a celebration at their school on March 23 .
After the kickoff , United Way of Central Carolinas Chief Development Officer Richard Heins said United Way is thrilled to be a part of the Books and Brackets reaching challenge again .
“ Our focus is on economic opportunity and the best way to reach that goal is educating children ,” he said . “ The more educated our children can become , the more opportunities arise for them . So this is a natural partnership for United Way and the school system .”
Follow UCPS on Facebook and Twitter to see which schools will advance to the next round of the competition each week . The Sweet 16 will be announced on March 2 .
The 2018 Books and Brackets reaching challenge is being made possible with the help of the following sponsors : Wingate University , United Way of Central Carolinas , Union County Education Foundation , Union County Chamber of Commerce , Goulston Technologies , MyOn , Big South Conference , Novant Health , Union Power Cooperative , Hinson Electric , Gene Robbins and Associates , Union County Public Library and Scholastic .
– This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools Communication Office .