Loomis Elementary is the recipient of the International Reading Association 2012-2013 PA Exemplary Reading Program Award.

Loomis Elementary in the Marple Newtown School District

is the recipient of the International Reading Association

2012-2013 Pennsylvania Exemplary Reading Program Award

The Exemplary Reading Program Award is sponsored by the International Reading Association (IRA) to recognize outstanding reading and language arts programs at all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school). Its purpose is to call the public’s attention to outstanding programs in schools throughout North America and the world.  Each participating state and province can choose one winning school.  Loomis Elementary was selected as the winner for the state of Pennsylvania and was one of fourteen schools selected nationally.

The IRA’s Exemplary Reading Program has five objectives: (1) to improve literacy in our society, (2) to recognize school staffs who demonstrate excellence in reading and literacy programs, (3) to encourage the development and refinement of exemplary reading/language arts programs, (4) to report to the public noteworthy efforts to improve reading/language arts, and (5) to disseminate specific information about high-quality programs so that other professionals can use it to improve their own instructional efforts.

A committee visited Loomis on two occasions and was awed by the innovative reading, thinking, speaking, research and comprehension strategies used in all classrooms.  They remarked upon the excitement and engagement of students in the educational process.  They were also impressed by the incorporation of reading by the unified arts teachers and, specifically, the lessons they witnessed in music and physical education.  The priority Loomis places on reading was evident throughout the school.  Pictures of students and teachers reading their favorite books were visible on the wall with the repeated question of “What are you reading?” which is a building theme this year.   Further evidence of the importance of reading was documented by the 100 Points Program and the Read Around the School initiatives.  The building Reading Specialist, Helene Duckett, provides on-going training to all teachers throughout the school year as well as in the summer months. The leadership and support of Loomis’ Reading Specialist plays a critical role in every aspect of the language arts program.  During meetings with the building Principal, concerns are discussed, assessments reviewed, and strategies are determined in an effort to incorporate and accentuate the importance of reading throughout the school.  Loomis Elementary School is not only “a great place to learn”, as its motto states, but a great place to read!  Congratulations Loomis!

For more information, please visit: http://www.reading.org/