Mount Vernon Students Eagerly Accept Superintendent's Reading Challenge

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Mount Vernon students have read nearly 100,000 books as part of Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton’s reading challenge this year.

Mount Vernon Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton and OLI the Octopus with elementary students announcing this year's Reading Challenge.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Mount Vernon elementary school students enjoyed OLI the Octopus' grand unveiling last year.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

OLI the Octopus has become the face of children's literacy in Mount Vernon.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Mount Vernon educators have eagerly embraced Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton's Reading Challenge.
Photo Credit: *MVCSD*

Zak Failla

05/23/2016 3:30 p.m.

Five months into the second annual Superintendent’s Reading Challenge, students have read more than 70,000 books, nearly 25 percent of Hamilton’s stated goal of 300,000 titles read by the end of the academic year in June.

New this year to the Reading Challenge is OLI (Ongoing Literacy Challenge) an Octopus-like mascot, based on a children’s book developed by Mount Vernon school officials, who has been the face of this year’s challenge.

According to Hamilton, in its inaugural year, the Reading Challenge resulted in Mount Vernon students reading nearly 250,000 books. This year, they upped the ante, setting the bar even higher with the goal of 300,000. Parents have been able to keep track of student achievement on the school district website.

“It’s great to see so many families taking part in this great event. The level of excitement and engagement from everyone is just incredible,” Hamilton said. "I see no reason why our students can’t read 300,000 books before the end of the school year.”

Click here to follow Daily Voice Mount Vernon and receive free news updates.