Men read to Jefferson students this week to encourage young readers

COLDWATER — Men from around the community came to Jefferson Elementary School this week to read to the second and third grade students and show them the importance of learning to read well.

March is Reading Month at Jefferson, which includes special events and programs for students.

Principal Tobi Reardon said, "We really want to get them to get hooked, so they want to read books."

Coldwater Police officer Nooh Aljabaly sat down Tuesday afternoon with Nick Bachler's third-grade class to read two books about pigs.

"I like being involved with all the students. I used to work here," the Coldwater High School graduate said. He served as a bilingual liaison for Arab students and supervised on the playground. "All the kids know me, so it feels good."

Aljabaly asked why it was important to learn to read, the class said almost in unison, "So we can learn."

The Trine University sports management graduate played soccer in Egypt for a year before returning to Coldwater and becoming a police officer. 

Bringing Aljabaly back to read and talk to the students was significant. Reardon said, "I think it's really going to encourage, especially our boys. It's harder sometimes to engage the boys in books."

While soccer star Aljabaly drew the most attention, retired District Court Judge David Coyle kept the rapt attention of the second grade class of Vanessa Sullivan with a Madonna children's tale, "Mr. Peabody's Apples."

The story of a man wrongfully accused of stealing apples gave the students a moral lesson.

Coyle said the students were well-behaved and attentive, a tribute to the teachers.

Throughout the week, 30 men came to Jefferson to take time to read to classes.

Reardon thanked those who volunteered. "It takes a lot of time to organize and have it ready to go. And to work around their schedule."

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Each school day during the month is devoted to reading with special events.

"We're going to have a family picnic where they can come in and eat lunch with their kids. They can read books together," Reardon said.

There is a Read-A-Thon for students to seek donations of a penny for each minute they read, with prizes for those who achieve goals.

-- Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com 

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Men volunteered with Jefferson students this week to encourage reading