There's nothing like a good book to read during the summer, and students enrolled in a summer enrichment program at Claude O. Markoe Elementary School got to load up on lots of them at a book swap held at the school on July 21.
Each student filed into the auditorium with a gently used book in hand to exchange it for another gently used or new book of their choice. The activity, organized by the St. Croix District Division of Curriculum & Instruction, aimed to increase students' interest in reading and encourage literacy. It is in line with the overall goal of the Department of Education to ensure students are reading at grade level by the third grade. Students participating the Freedom Schools V.I. pilot program being housed at Claude O. Markoe School this summer also participated in the book swap.
A similar activity was held at Lew Muckle Elementary School on July 20.
The Claude O. Markoe book swap activities were conducted by Glenda McKenzie, administrative assistant in the State Office of Curriculum and Instruction, and assisted by summer employees Ki-Ana Tonge, Yasmin Laurencin and Sheila Fabio. Department of Education Program Manager Denise Gomes coordinated the summer school book swap.
