The sixth annual Reading Marathon is in full swing this week December 6-10 at the Italy High School Library! Students, faculty and staff are participating in a week-long event that has someone constantly reading in the “Reading Parlor” in the library from 8 a.m. Monday morning until school dismisses at 3:20 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10.

Students are allowed to miss 30 minutes of an elective class to come to the library to read a book of their choice…with no strings attached. Teachers and staff give up 30 minutes of their conference period for the opportunity to read.

Each reader is treated to popcorn and a drink, a comfortable easy chair and footstool, and 30 minutes to read with no one to bother them.

Principal Tanya Parker kicked off the marathon Monday morning with 75 readers scheduled to participate. There is even a waiting list of students who want to read as substitutes if someone on the list is absent!

“It is our hope that students will find that reading for pleasure is enjoyable and continue the practice throughout their lives,” Sharan Farmer, District Library Coordinator, said.