Kids get running start to reading

For over 30 years the Running Start program at Thompson Falls Elementary has been encouraging youth to read for fun. "It's a way to get kids to read, not just because they have to, but recreationally," said Elementary Principal Len Dorscher. On Friday morning, Dorscher gathered the kids at the playground to run a lap around the basketball court symbolizing the start of the program. Dorscher, along with other teachers, ran with the students. When students got back into their classrooms, books were handed out for them to read. The run was done in three groups: grades 5-6, 3-4 and finally K-2.

Participating kids have until April 30 to get as much reading done as possible. They keep track of their progress in shoe-shaped reading logs. With each milestone of 21 books or 21 chapters, depending on their reading level, students will get an entry into a drawing at the end of the month.

On April 30, there will be an award ceremony with ice cream. There, the winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded. There are Kindle Fire tables for each set of grade levels and bicycles available for the younger ages.

Renee Kovarik, president of the Thompson Falls Woman's Club, was present at the run and explained that the program has been going for well over 30 years. She told of how she has a picture of her youngest son, who is now turning 19, doing the run. The program was started by a former first-grade teacher, Eileen Stone. She was also an influential member of the Thompson Falls Woman's Club, Kovarik said. Stone has since passed away.

Ice cream for the award ceremony is sponsored by Valley Bank, and funds for the books and prizes were raised by the Thompson Falls Woman's Club and the Masonic Lodge. Several years ago, First Security Bank set up a trust to continue funding for years to come and to allow the Running Start Program to continue.