Photo Gallery: 2022-2023 School Year

BOOKS ARE HAPPENING FOR RIF OF NOVA CHILDREN THIS SCHOOL YEAR!

RIF of NOVA schools and sites began book distributions for Academic Year 2022-2023 in October 2022. Below, please find photos as they are added from throughout the school year. Our cover photo (above) features children from ACCA Child Development Center...eager to read their brand new books!

“My summer is all booked!” at Marumsco Hills ES -- June 13, 2023

Zowie, did the Marumsco kids have fun with their end-of-year RIF of NOVA book distribution: "My summer is all booked!" The Prince William County children were allowed to pick two brand new books and could choose an additional novelty book with fun glasses or a game inside. Special thanks to reading specialist and NOVA RIF liaison Sharon Nottingham and the library team for creating such a wonderful and exciting way to get "booked!"

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Polk Elementary School's Time-for-Summer-Reading Bonanza -- June 12, 2023

Though rainy skies forced them inside for the book part of their field day, the kids and their indomitable spirits were not dampened one bit for Polk Elementary School's end of the year RIF of NOVA book distribution. With so many selections, choosing that special book to take home for summer reading was not easy. But with librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Leslie Broughton standing by (shown with mask below), there was enough guidance to make sure good choices were made by all!

The outside field day activities continued, despite the drizzle!

Cora Kelly's Book Field Day -- June 9, 2023

It was no ordinary field day at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science, and Technology as planned outside activities moved inside due to smoke from Canadian fires. That stopped...absolutely no one from choosing a RIF of NOVA book to take home to love over the summer! Librarian and RIF of NOVA liaison at this Alexandria school, Cathy Guthrie, had books well organized and beautifully displayed for a day of book fun. The delighted grins on these faces tell the story!

"Here comes the Summer!" at Mount Eagle ES -- June 9, 2023

"The students of Mount Eagle (Fairfax County) were truly fortunate to experience a memorable celebration titled 'Here comes the Summer!' as they received brand new books," wrote librarian and RIF of NOVA liaison Mary Frances Daly. She continued, "The incredible partnership between Mount Eagle and RIF of NOVA brought this joyous occasion to life. The students' excitement was palpable as they eagerly selected a book to cherish for a lifetime. This wonderful gesture not only provided the students with new reading material but also fostered a love for literature and a sense of gratitude for the community's support. Mount Eagle is incredibly grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to inspire a lifelong passion for reading among their students." (Note: We at NOVA RIF are delighted, too!)

Swanson Middle School English Language Learners Got Twice the Book Love!

English Language Learners in grades 6-8 participated in a second RIF of NOVA distribution on June 8 -- just in time for summer reading -- and got a special snack while they chose their books. While a screen showed stats about the criticality of reading, each student could choose four books (3 fiction or nonfiction in Spanish or English) and one graphic novel. The June distribution was the second time students got to choose books to bring home. On May 4th, they were also given the opportunity to pick three books! Thanks to Jennifer Stacy, librarian and RIF of NOVA liaison, for her hard work to give students such great opportunities for book ownership! Thanks also to National RIF for a grant that allowed RIF of NOVA to provide extra books to Swanson ELL students.

A Day of Book Fun at Woodley Hills -- June 1, 2023

Librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Jill Connors created a day of books and fun for her students. She told them that instead of borrowing books from the library, they were going to pick out a free book from Reading Is Fundamental of NOVA that they could take home to keep. First, though, she wondered if the students could tell her what the word "fundamental" means. "Fun and educational!" exclaimed one second grader. Another child said, "Fun and funny!" A third exclaimed, "And it's mine!"

Another child was a little dubious and wanted confirmation when he asked, "Does free mean it is officially my book?" After carefully selecting a favorite, he lined up to get his book stamped on a book plate. Then he carefully printed out his name, making this book officially his very own. Before returning to their classroom, the children also celebrated the day with a choice of activities including board games, LEGOs, and coloring.

Drop Everything and Read (1,000 Books) at Barcroft ES -- March 30/31, 2023

Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington set an amazing spring break goal for its students -- to collectively read 1,000 books over the week off! Just before break, the entire school got cozy and participated in a 90-minute "Drop Everything and Read" sleepover/read over, dressed in pajamas and accompanied by stuffed animals. Students were then able to pick two books each, thanks to RIF of NOVA and a national RIF grant. Hooray to librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Jackie Pippins and assistant Teresa Do for their help with such a wonderful reading challenge and celebration!

"Bloom with Books" at Arlington's Even Start Program -- March 30, 2023

Arlington's Even Start Family Literacy Program held a spring RIF of NOVA book distribution on March 30 with the theme "Bloom with Books." Mothers and their preschool children participated in a day filled with fun activities that included making a flower craft with inspirational family and reading words on the petals and taking photos in a butterfly photo booth and with some fun props. Each family was able to pick as many books as they had kids in their family. A huge highlight of the festivities was when Clifford showed up! Moms and kids alike couldn't wait to get photographed with Clifford! Thanks to Sara Mulrooney, program director and RIF of NOVA liaison, and her wonderful staff for planning and running a fun spring celebration of books and reading!

New Books at Kenmore Middle School -- March 30, 2023

Sixth grade students and English Language Learners (7th grade) were able to each pick a RIF of NOVA book from a wonderful selection of titles. The students were very thoughtful with their choices -- and many commented on the number of good books that were available! Some posed with friends with their new books in hand; others got down to reading right away. Thanks to librarian and RIF of NOVA liaison Claire Fulliton for arranging this distribution.

ATS Pre-K Kids Pick NOVA RIF Books -- March 20, 2023

Three Pre-K classes at the Arlington Traditional School enjoyed a RIF of NOVA book distribution on March 20. After listening to the book How Rocket Learned to Read, each child was able to pick two books, along with two coloring pages to take home. Said Arlington NOVA RIF area chair Sari Warren, "The students were excited to pick the books! My favorite moment was talking to the little boy who was so excited to pick the book Islandborn because it had a silver sticker on it. He said it meant that everybody liked this book!" (While that may be true, the seal represents a Pura Belpré Honor Award for illustration for 2019!)

Thanks to Jill Congelio, ATS reading specialist and school NOVA RIF liaison, and Amy Hailey, Arlington Language Arts program liaison, for making this distribution happen!

Bubbles and Books at Arlington's Teen Parenting Program -- March 17, 2023

Arlington's Teen Parenting Program held a NOVA RIF book distribution on March 17. Before the gathered babies and toddlers could get their books, they had to catch bubbles -- an activity that they thoroughly enjoyed! The teen moms and one dad helped their babies pick out two books, and each parent could choose a book for themselves as well. In addition, the Kiwanis Club was there to give a few awards to recognize the hard work involved in being a student-parent.

Thanks to Yvonne Pettiford and Nicole Boatright of Arlington Public Schools for such a joyous morning!

Read Around the Campfire -- Groveton Elementary, March 10, 13, 2023

Groveton Elementary School students found the library darkened, but they were not scared because they knew they were in for some Reading Around the Campfire fun. After warming up at the campfire and listening to directions from librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Eileen Findley and library aide Priscilla Karau, they browsed the tables covered with books.

After making their book selections, they picked out a beanie baby and flashlight and settled around the campfire to read to their little beanie buddies. Some sat, some stretched out on their tummies and some laid down on their backs. A few snuggled under the covers for a darker atmosphere. All began some serious reading, with the beams of the flashlights moving over the words and beanie buddies raptly listening. Way too soon, the library visit was over and the students reluctantly turned in their flashlights and beanie buddies before returning to their classrooms, carefully holding their new NOVA RIF books!

"Books are in Bloom" at Bailey's Upper Elementary School -- March 6-10, 2023

Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences in Fairfax County held its RIF of NOVA book distribution in early March -- Books are in Bloom -- for students in grades three through six. Said librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Bethany Radcliffe, "It was so much fun! The students were so excited to take home their new books!" (Music to our ears!)

"Hungry for a Good Book" at Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences -- March 9, 2023

Librarian and RIF of NOVA liaison Janice Perrault had a theme “HUNGRY FOR A GOOD BOOK” for a March book distribution for K-2 children. Using Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar for visuals, the children colored pages and were very engaged and excited to pick out a brand new book of their very own.

Read Across America Day -- Randolph Elementary, March 2, 2023

Stickers, bookmarks, and a new NOVA RIF book marked Read Across America Day, March 2, at Randolph Elementary School in Arlington. And just look at these faces! With the leadership of librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Carolyn Fleming and assistant Toby Peabody, the kids had a ball!

At Ashlawn, Books, Puzzles, and Lollipops! -- February 15, 2023

At the Ashlawn Elementary Language Arts Program in Arlington, teachers Megan Bransford (l) and Alison Gordon read students a Valentine's Day book, followed by a valentine creation project. Each child received a lollipop and a baggie containing a heart puzzle with his or her name on it. After picking a book for their very own, the children posed with signs saying, We love books and Thank you RIF!

LOVE of Reading at Dumfries Elementary -- February 14, 2023

PWC's Dumfries Elementary celebrated Valentine's Day with a RIF of NOVA Love of Reading event that included a whole bunch of heartfelt fun, thanks to reading specialist and NOVA RIF liaison Emily Decarolis. In addition to choosing two NOVA RIF books, students made valentine bookmarks and decorated paper hearts with images of their favorite books. Students also participated in a grade-appropriate STEAM activity connected to a valentine text. K-2 children read The Biggest Valentine Ever. Grades 3-5 read Valentine's Day Jitters and built hearts out of building blocks. Way fun for all!

"SNOW Many Great Books" at Hutchison Elementary School -- Feb. 6-10, 2023

The lack of snow this year did not deter a RIF of NOVA book distribution at Hutchison Elementary School in Fairfax County. Librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Marci Hoyt cleverly set the scene with penguin posters and displays to create excitement for reading. A special grant from the Vineyard Family Foundation meant that each child could pick TWO books to take home forever!

Yorkshire Elementary's "Warm up with a Good Book" -- December 16, 2022

Finding the ideal read and enjoying hot cocoa was the perfect activity on December 16 for fourth grade students at PWC's Yorkshire Elementary School. It was the last day of school before winter break ... and it was also pajama day! In their comfy clothes, the students carefully selected their NOVA RIF books, wrote their names in the front covers, and then enjoyed hot cocoa, chatting happily with each other about their new reads and the winter break to come.

Yorkshire reading teacher and RIF of NOVA liaison Bethany Drake led the week-long book celebration. Principal Lyn Marsilio found funds for the hot chocolate, and some volunteers joined in to help with the libations. What a wonderful way to begin the holidays!

NOVA RIF liaison Bethany Drake (m) served up winter cocoa with staff members Amy Simpson (l) and Megan Hoover.

Arlington Language Arts at Campbell ES -- Literacy Bingo -- December 16, 2022

How about a game where everyone wins ... a NOVA RIF book! As part of the Language Arts Program in Arlington, Campbell Elementary School staged a bingo game where the prize was a book! Special thanks to Language Arts liaison and supervisor of Library Services Amy Hailey and Campbell reading specialist and NOVA RIF liaison Virginia Montminty for organizing this special event for Campbell kindergartners -- who had a blast "winning" a book at this very fun event!

Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary School's "Escape Room" -- December 12, 2022

Donna McDonald, Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary School (PWC) librarian and NOVA RIF liaison, and Kelcie Conroy, Gifted Education teacher, led third graders on an elaborate quest. Kids worked in groups rotating through five activity stations hunting for code words to uncover the ultimate prize. Once all five activities were successfully completed, the code phrase “Reading is Fundamental” was revealed. The prize? Free books from RIF of NOVA! Above, girls at Station 5 collaborated to determine the right clues in their quest; boys (below) worked in teams as well. These junior sleuths never had so much fun to earn a new NOVA RIF book!

A Winter Wonderland at Barcroft Elementary School -- December 12, 2022

With a "roaring" fire as a backdrop, children at Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington picked out NOVA RIF books and made bookmarks in celebration of the season. As the soundtrack from Frozen played, the children waited in line to stamp their books and write in their this-book-belongs-to-me name. NOVA RIF liaison and librarian Jackie Pippins played "Anna" from the movie as her assistant, Teresa Do, played the character "Olaf" to add to the fun!

"It's SNOW Secret: We Love Books!" -- Sinclair Elementary, December 5-12, 2022

Sinclair Elementary School in Prince William County held a December-to-remember NOVA RIF book distribution, during which students colored a snowperson to indicate their reading preferences! For example, the children could color their snowperson's eyes brown if they prefer to read books alone; blue if they prefer to read with a buddy. If they like fiction best, they colored a 2-snowball snowperson; nonfiction a 3-snowball snowperson.

Coloring was done, books were chosen, and fun was had, thanks to NOVA RIF liaison and Title 1 reading teacher Gina Centamore and librarian Rebecca Kronthal, who read a book to each class using "Novel Effect" -- an app that adds music and sound as the story is read. How cool is that!

"Winter Wonderland, Chillin' with Books" -- Marumsco Hills, December 6 - 8, 2022

What could be better than a NOVA RIF book distribution in a winter wonderland? Children at PWC's Marumsco Hills Elementary School learned how fun picking a book of their own could be as they visited their school's library for three "snow magical" days in December. They found not only tables and tables of books but cut-out snow people on the walls, paper icicles hanging from the rafters, and a snack of hot chocolate with marshmallows and cookies! Even Principal Julie Cuocci got into the act to read to the kids, as did NOVA RIF board member and PWC Area Chair Sheila Adams Gardner (herself an author of three children's books).

Special thanks to Reading Specialist and NOVA RIF liaison Sharon Nottingham, librarian Jessica Nelson, media assistant Karen Fallah, first grade teacher Sarah Mikula, and a host of other teachers and parent volunteers for organizing such winter reading fun!

Principal Julie Cuocci read to a group of enthusiastic Marumsco Hills kids

NOVA RIF board member and PWC Area Chair Sheila Adams Gardner read one of her books

Falls Church McLean Children's Center (FCMLCC) -- November 8, 2022

Can a RIF of NOVA book distribution be any more fun? And can showing off your new chosen-by-you book be any cuter? These faces tell the story!

ACCA Child Development Center, October 31, 2022

Halloween is always a special day at the ACCA Child Development Center, and October 2022's celebration was quite in keeping with all the fun. The excitement was palpable as children (and teachers!) sported costumes, listened to a not-very-scary Halloween story read by NOVA RIF board member and Fairfax County West Area Chair Chris McLaughlin, walked from classroom to classroom in a Halloween parade, and, of course, picked out a RIF of NOVA book to take home!