Published: November 25, 2008 11:34 pm            

Students 'Cruise into a Good Book'

EDMOND — The acting principal at Deer Creek Elementary recently had to pack for a cruise in 1 minute, scuba dive in a kiddy pool and dance with the captain of a ship for a Reading Challenge payoff.

Debbie Straughn, acting principal, said she challenged the students to read 6,000 books for this year’s reading challenge, “Cruise Into a Good Book.” The students, however, read 12,515 books, said Kathy Webb, fourth-grade teacher.

“The whole purpose of this challenge is to instill a love for reading and this challenge got them excited about reading,” Straughn said.

The challenge took place during a three-week period. The students were challenged to read 1,000 books the first week. Webb said they read 4,526 books, which was the most they read in one week of the three-week contest.

“The first week, we were blown away,” Webb said. “They just jumped right in there. They get so excited about watching the principal do something ridiculous.”

The second week the students were challenged to read 2,000 books but read 3,772. As a challenge payoff, Straughn strapped on flippers and snorkeling gear and “dived” into a kiddy pool set up on the gymnasium stage.

“I actually had things to dive for,” she said. “They liked that challenge the best.”

The challenge ended Monday after the students read 4,217 books to meet the last weekly reading challenge of 3,000 books. For the last reading challenge payoff Straughn had to dance with Captain Bob, A.K.A., Straughn’s husband.

Webb said the students also donated six large suitcases filled with books to a women’s shelter downtown as part of the reading challenge.

Deer Creek Elementary students have participated in this challenge, which also is entered into a state reading challenge, for 13 years. Each year, eight to 10 principals have been recognized as Reading Challenge winners. Straughn has been recognized for the past four years, Webb said.

        

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