Phenix Elementary School (PES) celebrated Reading Month in October.

During the week of Oct. 3-7, historical characters of the past made a visit: Patrick Henry’s daughter, Dorthea; Harriett Tubman; Martin Luther King Jr.; and Betsy Ross. The celebration continued the next week with Hats Off to Reading Day, where students got to wear their special hats to school. Students also read Dr. Seuss’ Wacky Wednesday and dressed as wacky characters from the story. Thursday, students came to school dressed as their favorite book character and Friday, everyone wore their favorite team colors.

Oct. 17-21, the school celebrated retired teachers. Several retired teachers from the county came to share a story and their experiences of growing up. 

On Oct. 17, the Longwood Lancers came to PES and performed a skit to promote reading. Students were excited to meet the Longwood Mascot and some of the athletes. Friday, students wore blue and white to promote Randolph Henry High School’s homecoming.

Oct. 24-27 was career week. Each day, guests spoke to the student body about their career choices and how reading was such a vital part of their jobs. Guests who were unable to attend wrote a description of their job, which were read by students during an assembly. Athletes from Randolph Henry High School also visited the classrooms and shared their favorite book.

Students participated in Pizza Hut’s Book-It program and earned raffle tickets for a grand drawing. Taj Abdul Aziz and Leah Davis were winners of the raffle. Each received a Giant Reading Buddy.