Similar to a walk-a-thon, students will fundraise for reading and participating in reading activities. Students are given their own donation link (99 pledges) to share with family and friends with the goal of raising $175/student toward our $80,000 school goal.

Readathon 2025 schedule:

• January 6: Readathon Fundraiser begins!
• Weekly Challenge Mystery Readers:
  • Toni Sander aka “Coach Toni,” local legendary soccer coach
  • Shannon Short, author of “The Power of your Hero”
  • Third reader is still in the works! 
• January 6-10, WEEK 1: Class participation challenge: all classes that reach 100% participation (at least one donation to their 99 pledges page) win a mystery reader and a burrito party from Kitos Tacos! 
• January 17, END OF WEEK 2: Class participation challenge, dress like a book character: On Friday, Jan. 17th, we invite students to dress up as a book character. The class with the most participation wins a mystery reader and donut party!
• January 20-24, WEEK 3: Grade level participation challenge: the grade-level who has the combined highest fundraising and participation wins an EXTRA recess and a mystery reader.
• January 27, READATHON TOTES: Students will be sent home with their own Readathon tote bag to fill with their favorite books to bring on Readathon day.
• January 29th, *READATHON DAY*: Students bring their book filled Readathon totes and wear pajamas to enjoy a day reading hundreds of minutes! In the classroom, students can design bookmarks to enter in the bookmark design competition! See competition details here. Local authors visit to share interactive presentations tailored to each grade level. See guest authors page for more info.
  • Kinder Author Visit, Gus D’Angelo and his book National Parks A-Z (click to order) Presentation and book signing in each individual class. 
  • 1st, 2nd and 3rd Author Visit, Emma Bland Smith and her book Gardener of Alcatraz (click to order) Presentation to all three grades and book signing in the gym. 
  • 4th and 5th Author Visit, Mae Respicio and her book Isabel in Bloom (click to order)
    • Presentation to the two grades and book signing in the gym. 
• January 27-31, WEEK 4: Bookmark raffle: every student can design their own bookmark with themes that celebrate reading, books, the Neil Cummins Library, or the Readathon itself. We’ll draw two raffle winners per grade. Entries due Jan. 31st by 9AM. Winners receive gift cards from The Shack, Mags or Easy Breezy! ALL raffle submissions will be eligible to win the overall bookmark design competition. See rules for design competition here. 
• February 3, LAST DAY- FUNDRAISING DEADLINE: The class with 100% participation and most fundraised will earn the title of 2025 Readathon Champions! That class will receive the Readathon trophy & Hawk stuffy in their classroom for the year and the honor of sliming Principal Kyle Shaw at the February 7 assembly.
• February 7, WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT SPECIAL ASSEMBLY. Bookmark design competition winners and 2025 Readathon Champions announced at assembly. Slime time!

*More on Readathon Day: On January 29, 2025, students are encouraged to bring books from home, the school library or the public library to build a bag of books they are excited to read. We encourage you to help your child stock up on just the right books that will keep your child engaged throughout the day. There are many recommendations available to you if you are struggling to build a great selection of books.

FUNDRAISING TIPS

Tip 1: Help your student make a short video to explain the Readathon and to ask for support. Something short and sweet that you can quickly send via email, text, or social media.

Tip 2: You can use this copy for the email / text / social post to make it easier.

[Your student(s) first name] is participating in a Readathon January 6 – February 3, to raise money for [student name] school.  During this fundraiser month [student name] will read for hundreds of minutes, attend local author presentations and more! All to help fund the school library, reading resources, playground equipment, better teacher resources/education, etc. If you would like to donate, please click on [his/her] fundraising page: [insert URL(s) for student’s page].

Ideally, all donations will be made directly through 99Pledges, but cash or check donations are also accepted. If your child collects cash or check pledges, please complete the pledge form provided, and turn those donations in directly to the school office. Pledges can be made in a flat amount, or on a per minute of reading basis when made through 99Pledges. Flat donations are charged immediately and per minute pledges will be charged on January 29th, 2025 and/or upon completion of the number of minutes threshold set by the donor (whichever comes first).  All donations are due by February 3, 2025.