Harbison West Elementary School Curbs Summer Slide by Providing Free Books to Students

COLUMBIA – In efforts to avoid the summer slide, Harbison West Elementary School held a book fair for its students during the week of May 22. Students from preschool to fifth grade were able to select five free books of their choosing for reading over the summer.

“It is extremely important for our students to have books that they want to read,” said Kristen Hill, Harbison West’s reading coach. “Choice is huge, and this allows them to choose five books that they are interested in. Even if they struggle with reading, them choosing the book means that they will read it as opposed to if I selected a book they may not be interested in and not read it.”

Through tireless efforts of Harbison West Elementary’s SIC and PTO, the school was able to purchase approximately 3,000 books to provide its students. A grant through the District 5 Foundation, partnerships with the Optimist Club, Woodmen of the World and of course, parents made this fair possible. Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative provided bags for students to take their books home in.

Harbison West Elementary’s SIC has played a critical role in the success of students this year. They were selected as a finalist for the 2017 Riley Award for SIC Excellence in February.

“We are all responsible for our children. We are all responsible for ensuring our students have a great education,” said Harbison West Elementary Principal Ed Davis. “Our SIC is awesome and we commend them for building these partnerships to allow events like this book fair to happen. This opportunity allows our students to explore and expand their minds over the summer, and to know that learning goes beyond the classroom!”