This school year, Westwind Elementary took part in the Read for 15 challenge which was inspired by Patrick Mahomes to encourage students to read every day for 15 minutes inside and outside of school. Miranda Pequeno, Communities in Schools Site Coordinator at Westwind Elementary, coordinated the challenge for the campus.
The challenge is known as the Read for 15 challenge because it was Patrick Mahomes idea to encourage young kids to read. He wanted them to know that reading is cool and helps them understand the importance of education.
“I want young kids to know that reading is cool and helps them understand the importance of education,” said Patrick Mahomes. “Read for 15 will promote the benefits of reading and introduce students to some awesome books.”
The challenge was a total of 14 weeks split up between the fall and spring semesters. Westwind had a primary division that included Pre-K through 2nd grade and secondary division that consisted of 3rd grade through 5th grade. After all the totals were added up, the winners of the Read for 15 challenge won a Bahama Bucks party!
Both semesters, Pequeno took into consideration the number of students in each class so there will be a fair outcome on the classes total minutes read.
The winners of the Read for 15 Challenge are listed below.
Spring Read for 15 Primary Results: (Pre-K, Kinder, 1st grade, and 2nd grade)
1st place - Ms. Johnson's 1st grade class with 4,368 minutes read, averaging 273 minutes per student
2nd place - Ms. Crain's 1st grade class with 3,975 minutes read, averaging 209 minutes per student
3rd place - Ms. Jackson's 2nd grade class with 2,925 minutes read, averaging 172 minutes per student
Spring Read for 15 Secondary Results: (3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade)
1st place - Ms. Singletary's 3rd grade class with 6,705 minutes read, averaging 419 minutes per student
2nd place - Ms. Littlefield's 3rd grade class with 5,890 minutes read, averaging 368 minutes per student
3rd place - Ms. Clemens 4th grade class with 6,285 minutes read, averaging 273 minutes per student
For all the students who participated, they read the equivalent of reading for ONE month straight!! Which is the same as 31 days or 734 hours or 44,000 minutes!!
"I think the Read for 15 challenge was a huge success,” said Pequeno. “I am so proud of them for challenging themselves and stepping out of their comfort zone!”
Learn more about the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation and their Read for 15 challenge HERE!