Riverdale Heights Elementary has taken the top spot in the summer reading challenge, thanks to the collective effort of students, staff, and families. Over the past five years, Riverdale Heights has worked to increase participation in summer reading, partnering with both the Bettendorf and LeClaire Public Libraries. This year, 173 Riverdale Heights students completed the program, a significant jump from just 82 in 2021.
“This is something we’ve had our eye on for a while,” said Teacher-Librarian Katie Rokusek. “We’re thrilled that our families embraced this fun, cross-district competition.”
This effort is part of a larger district-wide initiative to encourage summer reading, with more than 800 Pleasant Valley students finishing the program across all buildings this year.
The district’s partnership with local libraries continues to grow, providing students with year-round opportunities to explore reading. In addition to promoting summer reading, Bettendorf Public Library visits schools for events such as Spooky Stories, Iowa Children’s Choice List book talks, and more.
For more information on how to get a free library card through our local libraries, click here. These collaborations are just one example of how Pleasant Valley Schools are committed to fostering a love of reading in students of all ages.