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Bellefonte READS 10 Year Anniversary!
Bellefonte READS 10 Year Anniversary!
Bellefonte READS is an organization that started ten years ago in 2013. Two literacy coaches, Jackie Wynkoop and Jennifer Zahuranec of the Bellefonte Area School District, noticed that there was a lack of engagement with reading in the community and wanted to address this issue. They felt a program that could connect directly with the community would be the most beneficial, and thus, began the start of Bellefonte READS.
This mission of Bellefonte READS is to foster a love of reading in the community and put quality books in the hands of children and families. Its most notable program is the “One Book, One Bellefonte” initiative. Each year, committee members select a collection of books with a common theme.The collection of books is revealed to the community generally in January with a book pick up in February and then the “One Book, One Belleonte” Celebration that happens in March. These books are provided to families in the district for free and are of a variety of reading levels for all ages. The committee hopes that their book choices bring the community together around an important issue or topic, and leave readers inspired to do more.
Recently, I sat down with Jackie Wynkoop and Nicole Kohlhepp, the current English, Language Arts (ELA) coaches of the district and the lead members of the Bellefonte READS committee, and interviewed them about the program and their expectations for this upcoming reveal season.
How has the program changed over the years?
The program started as one book that was more of a middle school level and now it has morphed into a selection of books for all reading levels. There is still a feature book, but more of a collection that revolves around a central theme. We try to make it involve something that the community would be engaged in and give them the opportunity to think about and potentially inspire action and challenge perspectives.
“One Book, One Bellefonte” - where did this slogan come from? What does it mean to the committee and the community?
The slogan came from a conversation between the literacy coaches and their drive to have reading begin to unite the community. With the original program starting with just one book, that book was meant to bring the community of Bellefonte together - to encourage families to read and have thoughtful conversations amongst each other. Yes, we provide more than just one book now, but that centralized theme continues to inspire and promote discussions within families and the community.
What are Bellefonte READS’ current initiatives and programs? What should we expect to see in the future?
Currently, we have a reveal watch party that generally takes place over YouTube in January. We encourage families to “tune in” and learn about this year’s theme and the selection of books that they will get to pick from. Once those books are selected by the families, they are able to pick them up on a specific evening that happens in February. This happens “drive-thru” style, so families do not have to leave their vehicles to receive their books. Then in March, we have our “One Book, One Bellefonte” Celebration. This event is held at the Bellefonte Area High School and all families are invited to attend. In the past, families have received a free meal, had the opportunity to hear from the authors and/or illustrators of the featured books, participated in a variety of literacy activities, and engaged in activities that allow them to delve more deeply into that year’s theme
Each year, we try to keep it fresh. We try to add different events and layers that encourage families to engage in books, utilize the most of their time, and expose people to different genres. For example, we did “Popsicles in the Park” in August, in which families could join us at Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte and they could pick a free book and receive a free popsicle. The families were then encouraged to read the book together somewhere in the park. We also participate annually in the Homecoming Parade and will have a table at many of the local events such as the Bellefonte Children’s Fair.
Other information to be shared:
In the last nine years, Bellefonte READS has raised $60,000 and given away 12,000 books to the community. This is an effort of community donations, grants, and fundraisers. We continue to need donations, whether that is monetary, book baskets, or local organizations that can offer literacy themed activities. If you are able to donate in any of those capacities, please contact Jackie Wynkoop at jwynkoop@basd.net or visit our website Bellefonte READS under the Bellefonte Area School District website. “Readers can also find us on social media by searching Bellefonte READS.” We enjoy sharing our experiences and keeping our followers up to date on the events that will soon take place.
We want to finish off this interview by highlighting our benefactors that donated to last year’s Bellefonte READS program. Without them, this program could not continue. They are:
Barnes & Noble, The State College Branch of the AAUW, The Bellefonte Education Foundation, Walmart #2230 on Benner Pike, Walmart #1640 on North Atherton, Bellefonte Area Middle School staff, The Field Burger and Tap, The Marion-Walker PTO, Sheetz, The Bellefonte Kiwanis, Dotts Hamilton Tax and Accounting Services, 3twenty9, The Bellefonte Knights of Columbus, The Bellefonte Moose Lodge, The Sunrise Rotary Club, The Bellefonte Elks, The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #448, Bellefonte Family Dentistry, Robin Hood Brewing Company, Hide & Seek Prenatal Peek, Trinity United Methodist Church, Bellefonte Elementary PTO, Trader Joe’s, and the Texas Roadhouse.
The Bellefonte READS committee is excited for the upcoming months and sharing another collection of books with the community. They look forward to hearing about the discussions that these books will elicit and the new topics of conversation that families will get to have with one another.
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