Principals not skirting reading promise

Students at Bordewich-Bray Elementary school roared with laughter Friday as their principal and vice-principal walked into the multi-purpose room dressed as waitresses in black skirts and lacy aprons.

"I started laughing because they looked really funny in tights and dresses," said second-grader Corinne Gunter.

The administrators dressed up as part of a special assembly to reward the classes for having achieved their goal of reading 9,600 minutes this month.

"We do all kinds of crazy things like this," said Vice Principal Rick Redican. "It's for the kids."

The assembly began with the students cheering, "We are readers" to the tune of, "We will rock you." Then Redican and Principal Kirk Kinne passed out popcorn while the students watched a video of themselves recorded throughout the month.

"I took a survey of the fifth-graders and they said they really, really enjoyed seeing themselves on video," said Sharon Arno, the school's librarian. "It was fun."

Arno said the assembly and video were designed to make reading fun for the students.

"If you can't read, it's so sad," she said. "If you don't enjoy reading, it's even more sad, so we try to make reading fun."

Christy Sheldon, an instructional aide for second grade, said she was pleased with the outcome.

"I think it's wonderful," she said. "I think books should replace television."

She said she is also impressed with the school's administration.

"I think they're very active and dedicated to the well-being of the students."

The students are also impressed with the leadership at the school.

"Sometimes when we walk by Mr. Kinne says, 'You're doing a good job,'" Gunter said. "He tells us when we're bad that we need to go think about it. He's nice."

Kinne said he did not enjoy dressing in a skirt, but it could have been worse.

"It's better than the tutu they had us in a few years ago," he said. "They come up with something novel every year."

Redican said each student reads 20 minutes every night as part of the Success for All reading program.

Second-grader Samantha Pinter said she loves to read.

"It's my favorite thing because I learn more," Pinter said. "I love chapter books."

It's not only the students who love reading.

"I love to read," Arno said. "Reading can take you anywhere and let you be anybody."

The assembly ended a month-long celebration of Nevada Reading Week with activities including "turn off the TV" night and "wear something you can read" day at school.