Northfield Elementary School first grade students sing "The Car Song" as part of their celebration of the successful conclusion of their annual Cheryl Jennings Running Start Reading Program last Tuesday night at the Comiskey School. Collectively the first grade students read nearly 2,700 books during the program. The singers: front row (from left) Joshua Bolio, Isabella Martel, Abigail Hebert, EllieWawrzyniak. Back Row(from left) Jaylyn Davidson, Molly Yacavoni and Bradley Johnson. Photo by Bill Croney, The Northfield News First graders at the Northfield Elementary School have been having fun reading.

They gathered with their families got together Comiskey School in Northfield for the annual reading celebration on last week.

The reading program is named for former teacher, Cheryl Jennings, who passed away three years ago.

She had been very active in maintaining the Running Start program but funding for that program ended. Ms. Jennings’ family took up the slack, feeling that her teaching would continue through the years if they formed the Cheryl Jennings Reading Fund. They did and ever since, the children have been reading with the help of the fund which they created.

With their help, books were purchased and students began enjoying their nightly reading.

In just nine weeks, students in the two first grade classes at the school read 2,736 books!

At the celebration to salute this wonderful achievement, the children sang their favorite songs under the direction of Maggie Cook, the music teacher.

All of the children dressed in their flashy lime green t-shirts which were donated by Barry Chouinard.

Following the singing and celebration, everyone enjoyed favorite dishes made by the families for the potluck.

We’re off to a running start in reading!