Elementary School Administrators Kiss A Pig As Part of Motivational Reading Program

WESTON, FL, July 02, 2011 (Press-News.org) Each year students are challenged to increase their reading goals. This year the students enthusiastically surpassed their goal to see their administrators kiss a pig.

Some principals and assistant principals will do anything to get their students to read. At the Sagemont School, A private school in Weston, Florida, Principal Joann Laskin and Assistant Principal Monica Vigna offered to kiss a pig if their students earned 14,999 points in the Accelerated Reading Program. The students surpassed that goal and earned 16,000 points. That meant Mrs. Laskin and Mrs. Vigna had to get up close and personal with a pig at the recent "Kiss a Pig" event.

The students were very excited to reach their reading goals in the hopes of watching their principal and assistant principal have to kiss a pig. "When I found out that Mrs. Laskin was going to kiss a pig, I set a goal for how many points I needed to earn for this to happen," said second-grader Adam Joseph. "I really wanted to see her kiss it." Third-grader Alfredo Sanchez said, "It made reading more fun when I knew how great it would be to see Mrs. Laskin and Mrs. Vigna kiss a real live pig."

The media center had a large pig poster that kept track of the students' progress. Each month a stuffed pig was given to the class that earned the most points. The pig wore shirts that said things like "3rd Grade Pigged Out on Books!" Media and Technology Specialist Doris Quintero coordinated with teachers and students to help the kids reach their reading goals. "With the AR program as an instrumental curriculum connection to our outstanding reading program, the children are guided to set attainable yet challenging AR points goals for themselves each month. The students realize the importance of reading age and level-appropriate books as they meet and very often surpass their individual goals."
The reading program has been at Sagemont since 2001 and the incentives change each year. One year Mrs. Laskin and Mrs. Vigna dressed in banana costumes while serving banana splits. Administrators have rafted down the pool with the top AR point earners. Students got to attend a pajama and movie day one year. Last year's theme was "Read Like a Rock Star" and the incentive was a DJ dance party. Who knows what the incentive will be next year? It will be tough to top the pig kissing but Mrs. Laskin and Mrs. Vigna are already thinking of something to keep their students motivated to read.

The Sagemont School offers a college prep curriculum and operates two campuses in Weston, Fl. In Pre-K through Grade 5, The Sagemont School provides core concepts in a creative environment combined with weekly specials that include science, art, music, Spanish for non-native & native speakers, swimming, PE and media and technology. From middle school through graduation, Sagemont students choose from a variety of regular, honors and AP course work. In addition, students share in a networked wireless laptop environment and participate in a comprehensive guidance program for college entrance. Visit The Sagemont School Web site at http://www.sagemont.com/. Like us at http://facebook.com/sagemont.

For more information on The Sagemont School, contact Dr. Brent Goldman, President at (954) 389-2454 ext., 305, or email to bgoldman@sagemont.com.