School-Force Powered by Students' Read-a-Thon

It may be a reading event, but it takes a pretty savvy mathematician to determine how many books are read by how many students to equal 1,500,000 minutes of reading. 

That's the total, in minutes, of reading that took place by K-5 students during last year's Power Read-a-Thon in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District. The 2011 event raised more than $200,000 for the district's education foundation, School-Force. 

As the foundation's second largest annual fundraiser, proceeds from the Read-a-Thon supports the district's libraries, reading specialists and other programs.

This year's event kicks off Friday, and runs through Jan. 27. In addition to all six elementary schools, will participate in this School-Force fundraiser.  

According to organizers, the kids have a great time while raising money. Hitting a reading milestone earns a student a dragon scale to place on a display at their school and to enter into random drawings for small but much-sought-after prizes.  

Hundreds of children read their way into the “Thousand Minute Club.” The club is a great motivator, earning children a special certificate and an appearance in the annual club photo. Some of the schools will host a kick-off pajama reading night.

This year’s theme is “Fired Up with Reading!” and students can earn dragon scales to place them on the dragon to help it grow. Students earn scales by keeping track of the time spent on reading. 

To sponsor a student and make a pledge, either by a flat amount or by minutes read, make a check payable to School­Force or at http://schoolforce.org/.