Helen Haller students celebrate Six Books for Summer

By Matthew Nash • June 27, 2018 1:30 am
Brody Washburn, 7, signs his name pledging to read over the summer with help from the Six Books for Summer program at Helen Haller Elementary, which provided six new books for each student at the school. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Brody Washburn, 7, signs his name pledging to read over the summer with help from the Six Books for Summer program at Helen Haller Elementary, which provided six new books for each student at the school. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Helen Haller Elementary students went home well-equipped to read this summer.

For the second year, organizers of Six Books for Summer provided just that: six books for each student at the Sequim school and Sequim School District’s preschool.

Sheri Kruckeberg, the school’s librarian, estimates close to 4,000 books were given out and that each student could select from 15 age-appropriate books to take home.

“It’s one of the most magnificent things I’ve gotten to do as a librarian and teacher,” she said. “I think it helps make a big difference for all kids, and not just one particular group. It helps build a reading culture.”

School Principal Becky Stanton said the school’s Parent Teacher Organization raised about $11,000 for the program from various fundraisers, including its Turkey Trot. For its first year, a First Federal Community Grant and Thrivent Financial helped fund the project, she said.

First Federal also made a large donation this year, too, PTO leaders said.

Stanton said the purpose of the program is to stop the summer reading slide, and that four of five participating grade levels maintained or increased their reading levels last summer.

Kruckeberg led students in signing a pledge that they’d read over the summer, and offered various prizes through the school and the University of Washington for committing to reading.

Stanton said she’s thankful to the community and Helen Haller PTO for supporting reading at the school.

First grader Jair Gomez-Hernandez in Bettina Hoesel’s class receives a bag of books from librarian Sheri Kruckeberg as part of the Six Books for Summer program. Students selected six of 15 age-appropriate books to keep and read over the summer. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

First grader Jair Gomez-Hernandez in Bettina Hoesel’s class receives a bag of books from librarian Sheri Kruckeberg as part of the Six Books for Summer program. Students selected six of 15 age-appropriate books to keep and read over the summer. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

First grader Bronte Tauran in Bettina Hoesel’s class receives a bag of books from librarian Sheri Kruckeberg as part of the Six Books for Summer program. Students selected six of 15 age-appropriate books to keep and read over the summer.

First grader Bronte Tauran in Bettina Hoesel’s class receives a bag of books from librarian Sheri Kruckeberg as part of the Six Books for Summer program. Students selected six of 15 age-appropriate books to keep and read over the summer.

Students and staff at Helen Haller Elementary signed a banner pledging to read this summer. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Students and staff at Helen Haller Elementary signed a banner pledging to read this summer. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Bettina Hoesel’s first grade students hold up their favorite book they received through the Six Books for Summer program last week. In its second year at Helen Haller Elementary, school officials said the program helped maintain or increase reading levels in four of five participating grade levels. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

Bettina Hoesel’s first grade students hold up their favorite book they received through the Six Books for Summer program last week. In its second year at Helen Haller Elementary, school officials said the program helped maintain or increase reading levels in four of five participating grade levels. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash