Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools March/April 2019 | Page 13

Ready, set, read! The Books and Brackets reading
challenge is back and bigger than ever!
On Feb. 26, UCPS kicked off the 2019 Books and Brackets
reading challenge with a pep rally at Rocky River Elementary.
With more than 150 third, fourth and fifth graders in attendance,
the pep rally featured special appearances by the school’s
mascot, Monroe High student athletes and Union County Board of
Education Chair Melissa Merrell.
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 month-long reading
challenge. During last year’s challenge, third and fourth graders
cumulatively read more than 12 million minutes, which roughly
translates to 200,000 hours.
Those students, who are now fourth and fifth graders, will
join current third graders at their school as they compete against
other schools to win the 2019 Books and Brackets Championship.
“Books and Brackets is all about celebrating reading in Union
County Public Schools,” UCPS Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan
said during the pep rally. “Beginning March 15, at 1:30 p.m. every
Friday on Facebook Live, we’re going to announce the schools who
have made it to the Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four.”
The Books and Brackets winner, he added as the students
cheered, will be named at a pep rally at Wingate University on
Friday, April 5.
Self-proclaimed Books and Brackets veteran and Rocky River
fifth grader Kamaya Perry said she has enjoyed participating in
Books and Brackets every year.
“I’m really excited to participate in it again this year. I like the
competition and I really want us to win this year,” she said. “If I
had to give advice to third graders, I would say to read your best,
have confidence and believe in yourself.”
United Way of Central Carolinas (UWCC) Regional Relationship
Manager Ivy Allen said, “Education is one of our four impact focus
areas and is key to every student reaching their potential and
contributing to making our community stronger,” she said. “We
love our partnership with Union County Public Schools because
we have some of the same goals in mind and the district is such a
strong supporter of our organization.”
The 2019 Books and Brackets reading challenge is being made
possible with the help of community and business organizations.
A special thanks also goes to the following top sponsors: United
Way of Central Carolinas, Union County Education Foundation and
event host Wingate University.
Parent Teacher Magazine • Mar/Apr 2019 • 11