OXFORD – Students at Madison Avenue School have discovered the need to read.

They will have books open at breakfast and lunch, at recess, in the hallways and on the buses.

If there’s time and light, the students are reading.

“They’re very motivated right now,” Principal Jane Fahey said Tuesday.

The reading spree started when students were challenged to read one book per week between Jan. 5 and the end of February.

“Many adults in the building raised on eyebrow when the goal was announced,” Fahey said. “Some doubted whether our students would accept the challenge or even be capable of reaching it.

“Let the record show that Madison Avenue students reign supreme in the area of reading,” she said.

Fahey said Carol Walker, the librarian, said she has been spending a lot of time shelving books, more than ever before, since the reading challenge began.

Fahey said that they met their goal of 1,400 books early and have decided to keep going.

“They have challenged themselves to read an additional 700 books by the end of February,” Fahey said. “They’re reading a lot and everybody is reading. They’re also reading good literature.

“The goal was not met by just a handful of students reading 24-7 (hours-days),” she said. “Every single child in the school has read at least a couple of books and is on target to meet his/her goal.”

Fahey said students have earned an ice cream party and a special, all-school event, which will be named in the future.

“Some teachers have said that students are asking for additional silent reading time in class, in lieu of rewards for good behavior,” Fahey said. “What a novel idea!”

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