Moncton Wildcats Reading is Wild Program Celebrates 1,000,000 Books Read
February 8, 2016 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Moncton Wildcats News Release
Moncton Wildcats RW Conor Garland at Reading is Wild Program
(Moncton Wildcats)
Moncton, NB - The Moncton Wildcats Reading is Wild Program has reached an important milestone of 1,000,000 books read! The program has been highly successful since its inception in 1998 by using the popularity of the Wildcats players as a motivational tool to encourage reading and literacy - not only for school but also for FUN!
Every year four local schools, both Anglophone and Francophone, participate in this twelve-week program. The schools set their own goals for number of books to be read, and each week they select a student as their reader of the week. Results are published in the Times & Transcript which recognizes the accomplishment while creating some friendly competition between schools!
On Monday, February 8, the Moncton Wildcats celebrated the accomplishments of the almost 20,000 students who have made the program a success over the years. Assemblies marking the 1,000,000 books read were held at two of this year's participating schools, École le Sommet and Magnetic Hill School.
"One million books, that's an accomplishment we should all be extremely proud of! But it's not just the number of books that is important. Through education and literacy our students built confidence, self-esteem and drive to develop their full potential," said Robert K. Irving, President of the Moncton Wildcats. "Education is a large component of the Wildcats' hockey program. The players understand it is critical to their own success so they are eager to share that by serving as role models to children in our community. Everyone wins."
Forty-five schools have participated in this program since 1998. The Moncton Wildcats would like to thank all the schools, teachers, students and program supporters who have participated and helped to grow this program to the high level that enjoys today.
"Over the past 17 years, the Anglophone East School District has benefited from our partnership with the Moncton Wildcats. Literacy skills are fundamental in the education of our children. This program not only shows the value of reading but also gets students excited about it," said Gregg Ingersoll, Superintendent of the Anglophone East School District. "Our students are sometimes in awe that the person they've seen play at the Coliseum is the same person that is sitting in their class and reading a book to them. It certainly has a significant impact that will stay with the students as they continue their education."
"Growing up in Dieppe, I have great memories of the Reading is Wild Program when I was a student at École Sainte-Thérese, said Joey Richard of the Moncton Wildcats. "It's truly an honour to now visit students and help inspire them to read more. I appreciate the opportunity and the ability to have an impact on their lives."
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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2016
- Moncton Wildcats Reading is Wild Program Celebrates 1,000,000 Books Read - Moncton Wildcats
- Laberge, Dumont-Bouchard and Fiore named the three stars of the week - QMJHL
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