Rossmoor Elementary School was given a school-wide challenge in September, 2011. The Rossmoor principal, Kiva Spiratos, challenged the children to read, read, read and to participate in the school Castle Rossmoor reading incentive program. She challenged them to have 90 percent of the entire school population, read 90 percent of each week, for 90 percent of the school year. The student chose the incentive, and it was to turn Mrs. Spiratos’ hair the color of Rossmoor blue.
Rossmoor Elementary School was given a school-wide challenge in September, 2011. The Rossmoor principal, Kiva Spiratos, challenged the children to read, read, read and to participate in the school Castle Rossmoor reading incentive program. She challenged them to have 90 percent of the entire school population, read 90 percent of each week, for 90 percent of the school year. The student chose the incentive, and it was to turn Mrs. Spiratos’ hair the color of Rossmoor blue.
This involved students reading 6 out of 7 days a week for over 25 minutes each night. Parents were instructed to record students’ reading on their Castle Rossmoor Reading Log and sign their names to the logs for accountability. Each month, Spiratos informed the students of their year-long progress. The monthly averages continued to be at 90 percent or above, and the students continued to strive toward their long term reading goal.
By the third and fourth month of 90 percent school wide participation, Spiratos was able to direct the focus of achievement to more than just reading, now her message was about momentum, long term goals and follow through. The children were on a roll, and could not disappoint each other.
On May 5, the goal was met. 90.3 percent of all the entire student population, ranging from developmental kindergarten through fifth grade, read from September through May 5. The castle keeper parent volunteers calculated the reading logs and the students achieved their goal.
As promised, Spiratos turned her light blond hair, to Rossmoor Blue! She colored it on a Tuesday, and kept it hidden with just a few strands showing to build anticipation for the great unveiling, which occurred on Friday, May 18, Rossmoor’s school-wide Blue Day.
