The entire Way school community gathered in the gym for a big reveal. After months of waiting, Media Center Specialist, Cindy Zervos, announced the book selected for One School, One Book, a program in which all students read the same book. “One School, One Book is a great way to build a positive reading culture and get kids excited about reading and to remind families the importance of reading aloud to their children," said Zervos. Dressed in a dog costume, Zervos, with the help of third grade students, revealed the book, Fenway and Hattie. The gymnasium erupted in cheers. This specific book was chosen because it is narrated from Fenway, the dog’s perspective and because it focuses on the idea of friendship. Way’s well loved therapy dog, Marge approved the selection.  

One copy of Fenway and Hattie was purchased for every Way family. The purchase was partially funded through a grant Zervos received from the Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation. 

Students and families are encouraged to read one to two chapters per weekday.  “This year we have teachers recording themselves reading a chapter, so if families prefer, they can follow along and listen to the book,” commented Zervos. “They can listen in the car on the way to school in the morning or soccer practice, whatever their family has going on.”

One School, One Book goes beyond just reading the story, but ties in with many other activities around the community throughout the month of March. The Bloomfield Township Public Library hosts a Way Elementary Family Night where a chapter of Fenway and Hattie will be read and books are raffled off!  Bloomfield Hills High School softball and baseball teams visit Way students and the teams read to the younger students. A text to world connection is made from the players to the baseball section in the book. Students from Bower’s Academy helped third and fourth graders make blankets and chew toys for Happy Paws Haven Dog Rescue.

“The One School, One Book event is not just a way to bring families together around a good book, but it is also a wonderful community building experience for all of Way,” commented Way parent, Amy Orlando. “It is cool to hear students across grade level chat about the book - their favorite characters, parts that make them laugh - and cultivate a love of reading.”

One School, One Book activities at Way will continue throughout the month of March concluding with the reading of the last chapter at another all school assembly.