Riverhead Country Day School donates books to Roanoke Avenue students

The holidays are all about giving, and according to Riverhead Country Day School Director Cheryl Taormina, there’s no better gift than a good book! Which is why, for the third year in a row, Riverhead Country Day School gifted Roanoke Avenue kindergarteners and first graders with books.

Ms. Taormina explained that after 20 years, the Riverhead Country Day School has all the books it needs, and that the school receives a surplus of free books yearly from their very successful Scholastic Book Fairs.

“Three years ago I decided to share our bounty of books with Kelly Schultheis’ first grade class at the Roanoke Avenue School,” said Ms. Taormina. “It was a life-changing event for me. After I saw the joy on the faces of those children that first year, I was hooked.

“We started collecting books a lot earlier this year,” she explained, “and with a little supplementing on my part we were able to give two books and a ‘reading buddy’ in the form of stuffed animal to all of the kindergarten and first grade students at the Roanoke Avenue School this year. Next year, I hope to add books for the other classes as well.”

Ms. Taormina and Roanoke Reading teacher Georgette Keller preceded the gift giving by reading If You Give A Mouse a Cookie in both English and Spanish respectively to all of the kindergarten and first grade classes. Children who can read in both English and Spanish received one book in English and one book in Spanish.

When each child came forward to receive their gift, it was easy to see why Ms. Taormina feels the way she does. They were so excited and very politely thanked her for their little bundle and then quickly returned to their seats so they could examine their gifts.

“Look what I got,” said one little boy excitedly holding up a book based on the movie ‘Frozen’. “I loved that movie. Wow, this is great.” Just as excitedly, he held up the second book, Bizcocho ya a la escuela, and grinned.

First grade teacher Cathy Fasanelli, whose class had just received their books and buddies and were excitedly sharing their books with each other, poked her head out the door to thank Ms. Taormina once more. “They are so excited,” Ms. Fasanelli said—a little misty-eyed herself. “Thank you so much for your generosity.” Roanoke Literacy Coach Tammi Michaelson, who helped coordinate the event, and Principal Tom Payton echoed Ms. Fasanelli’s thank you.

“I just love this community and all these kids,” Ms. Taormina said. “I recognized a few of them from when they were at Riverhead Country Day School. I’m already excited about returning next year with even more books.”

Source: Riverhead Central School District Press Release dates December 18, 2014