North Merrick unites community in reading challenge

The fun began at the North Merrick Public Library as a communitywide event was kicked off by the North Merrick School District on May 6. 

The district’s third annual Community Reads Together event brings the story of “Stuart Little” to life through the voices of the North Merrick community. Principals, teachers and students from Camp Avenue, Harold D. Fayette and Old Mill Road schools, as well as librarians from the North Merrick Library, all take part in sharing chapters, creating a meaningful and connected reading experience. 

At the library, students listened to an engaging read-aloud of the book’s first chapter by librarians and got creative with a crafting activity to make small paper mice. Scattered throughout the children’s room was a scavenger hunt that had students working together to check off a list of hidden images to find. All students received a free copy of the book to continue at home. As they proceed through the story, several related activities will be held at the library for students to enjoy, including a STEAM adventure using Ozobots, an escape room and an engineering challenge. The collaborative Community Reads Together initiative celebrates a love of reading while highlighting the strong partnerships between schools and the community. 

“This collaboration creates a memorable learning experience that extends beyond the classroom,” said Helen Kanellopoulos, the district’s supervisor of instructional technology. “By combining literacy with interactive activities and community involvement, we are helping students see reading as something that can bring people together and spark creativity.”

“Events like this show the incredible impact that can happen when the community comes together with a shared purpose,” said Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Seniuk.