Walt Whitman’s PARP Week: A Mission Accomplished!

Walt Whitman Elementary School recently took a giant leap for literacy during our "Blast Off Into Reading" PARP week! The mission began on Monday with a stellar Space Dress-Up Day, followed by a cozy Tuesday where students sported pajamas and enjoyed a sweet cookie treat courtesy of the PTA. On Wednesday, we detoured to Whoville to honor Dr. Seuss’s birthday; classrooms were filled with "wacky" outfits and beloved characters, and the PTA kept the spirit alive by gifting everyone fun, Dr. Seuss-themed squishy pens. The atmosphere turned atmospheric on Thursday for "Stargazing and Stories," as students read by flashlight to the ambient sounds of space-themed music. To bring the week back to Earth, our Kindergarteners hosted a vibrant Vocabulary Parade on Friday, proudly showcasing their favorite new words.

A Stellar Surprise
A highlight of the week was a truly "out of this world" surprise: a personal video message from Ron Garan, a former F-16 fighter pilot and NASA astronaut, who spoke to our students about the vital importance of reading in reaching one's dreams.

Mission Accomplished
We want to extend a massive thank you to our incredible PARP Committee. This dedicated group of parents and teachers worked tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate the mystery readers and daily events that made this week so unforgettable for our students.