Convent of the Sacred Heart hosted a book fair Sunday April 3, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., as well as during the school day on Monday and Tuesday. Sacred Heart has organized this annual book fair for the past fifteen years, and this year continued to expand its book selection. Originally, this event was a fundraiser introduced to expand the school library and to promote awareness about girl’s rights to have access to reading material.
Today, the main purpose of the Sacred Heart book fair is to generate excitement for reading by providing the Sacred Heart community with the opportunity to purchase a vast selection of books and to gather book donations for Waterside School. Sacred Heart will donate 25 percent of the proceeds to various school-based reading programs.
Waterside School is a nonprofit elementary school located in Stamford, Connecticut. Waterside school first opened its doors September 12, 2001 in efforts to provide affordable private school education for underprivileged children from junior kindergarten to fifth grade. The school also provides the students with school supplies and reading material. The donations from the Sacred Heart book fair will go to Waterside School classrooms, as well as its library.
Courtesy of Elisabeth Hall ’18
“Our students love to learn about new authors and stories. My first graders in particular, love following series. When we have multiple copies of books it allows multiple students to enjoy simultaneously, discuss and inspire ongoing reading with each other,” First-grade teacher at Waterside School, Mrs. Caitlyn Bertoncin said.
This year, Mrs. Gery Tobias and Mrs. Elisabeth Bleuel, co-chairs of the book fair, collaborated to organize everything from book orders, to set-up and volunteers. Sacred Heart webmaster Mr. Sal Rotondo assisted Mrs. Tobias and Mrs. Bleuel by handling all checkout systems during the book fair.
Ms. Elyse Schultz, Special Events Manager at Convent of the Sacred Heart, managed publicity for the event by making frequent announcements and handing out flyers. Mrs. Kristen Donovan, Community Building Chairperson and one of the co-chairs of the book fair the previous year, worked with the team to oversee the fair and to make it a community building event. With the help of each of these individuals and the Parents’ Association, this year’s annual book fair provided the Sacred Heart community with a larger selection of books than ever before.
By moving the book fair from the smaller library to the spacious DuBois gymnasium, Sacred Heart was able to accommodate thousands of books of varying genres and age groups.
Each year, the individuals organizing the book fair arrange activities to keep the Sacred Heart community intrigued. This year, the committee worked together to provide a reading nook with bean bags for students. They also provided parent readers to sit and read to younger children. Additionally, Mrs. Kiki Carozza, Convent of the Sacred Heart Middle School Coordinator of Educational Technology, directed activities in the maker-space such as drawing and robot building. There were also various small boutiques, selling an assortment of jewelry, clothing, toys, and home accessories.
“I think in a society that is so attached to computers and screens it is incredibly important to remind children of how much fun it is to pick up a book. There is something about turning pages, or the feel of a book, that all children should know. The Book Fair puts the focus on books and reading and gives the girls a chance to buy a new book that interests them.” Mrs. Kristen Donovan said.
– Elisabeth Hall, Staff Writer
King Street Chronicle
King Street Chronicle
Traveling into the world of literature at the Sacred Heart book fair
More to Discover
Heike • Apr 8, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Sweat Pea! I just love the way your words flow so naturally. If I had to grade this article using a Common Core informational text writing rubric you would have earned a perfect score. Great job! You make it appear so effortless. I completely enjoy the topic variety that you cover. I am already looking forward to reading your next article.
Stephen Hall • Apr 8, 2016 at 11:22 am
Once again you have written an outstanding article. I am very proud of you.
Kathy Schnefke • Apr 7, 2016 at 9:03 pm
Bizzy your article is very thorough & informative. You know your topic very well. I love that you are helping Waterside school in Stamford, I did some work there several years ago & the kids were great! I’m sure they appreciate the gift of reading there is nothing better than that! Thanks for sharing your writing!
Eben • Apr 7, 2016 at 6:11 pm
Excellent material and very well written!! I can’t wait for the next one. Keep it up Elisabeth!!
Chadwick • Apr 7, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Very interesting! There is nothing more relaxing than reading.
Roseanne Paniccia • Apr 7, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Great collaboration between Convent of the Sacred Heart and Waterside School! Students helping students open the door to the world of knowledge and imagination. Very inspiring! Very well written. Keep up the good work Elisabeth
Tanja Ellis • Apr 7, 2016 at 5:01 pm
Bizzy your dedication to supporting the libraries at Waterside is truly wonderful. Holding a book is such a wonderful thing. It engages the senses versus ipads pods and gizmos! Amazing that your project support person at Waterside is a fellow Sacred Heart alum. Thanks for the article- well done.
Roseanne Paniccia • Apr 6, 2016 at 10:34 pm
Great collaboration of Convent of the Sacred Heart with Waterside School! Students helping students open the door to the world of imagination. Very inspiring and well written. Thanks for another great article Elisabeth. Keep up the good work.
Tyler Yusi • Apr 6, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Elisabeth, I absolutely love reading your articles. I have read all of them and i’m looking forward to reading more and more of your articles! You’re such an intellectual girl. I love you.