Description: Annunciation School and our Home and School Association are excited to present our second One Book-One School event. In this program, our entire school community will read the same book simultaneously, over a 4-week time period (March 2-March27). Parents will read to younger children; older children can read to the family; and school staff can read to the students). The program is designed to create school-wide unity and a positive experience about books. The Home and School Committee has provided every family with the book titled: “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate. Today, the entire student body participated in a kick-off assembly to introduce the event with a guest appearance from "Ivan" the silverback gorilla. Students watched a video providing an overview of the book and also viewed a clip of "Ivan" visiting Annunciation School last week. You will receive your book today along with a bookmark which has been designed to outline the weekly reading assignments for families over the 4-week timeframe. Reading Schedule: Week 1 (March 2-6): pages 1-74; Week 2 (March 9-13): pages 75-153; Week 3 (March 16-20): pages 154-229; and Week 4 (March23-27); pages 230-300. The book is a very quick read and the pages have limited entries. Summary of the Book: The book is about an adult male silverback gorilla named Ivan who has been living in captivity for 27 years, most of that time on display at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He lives there, along with Stella, a wise older elephant, and Bob a sassy stray dog. Julia, the janitor’s daughter, helps Ivan with his artistic efforts. When Mack, the owner of the mall, introduces a baby elephant named Ruby, Ivan sees his captivity for what it is. Realizing that Ruby needs more freedom, Ivan assumes his rightful place as a leader and secures a better future for himself and his friends. The novel is written in first person from the point of view of Ivan. It was named the winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal, and has won several other awards. All-School Activity: Please send a plain white t-shirt to school with your child by March 11. All students will have the opportunity to design a shirt depicting their favorite character on the front side and a favorite quote or phrase on the back side. Older students will be partnered with the younger grades to work on this project with a buddy. Students will be able to wear and showcase their completed t-shirts at our culminating assembly on March 30th. Classroom Activities: The 1Book-1 School Committee provided each classroom teacher and staff with several activities to consider for students to participate in during the 4-week event. Activities include: Traveling Gorilla to each class and accompanying journal activities; kindness campaign; drawings/paintings in art class; letter writing to help make a change; research projects of animals in nature and of individuals who have helped us learn more about animals; pictures and paintings; Trivia Questions; discussions on hope/kindness/differences; sadness; loneliness; Dress Down Day to benefit the “World Wildlife Foundation”, and several other classroom activities outlined for the students. Each week we will keep you informed of weekly reading activities presented to the students and to the families. Please keep posted to the website and to the weekly Newsletter for more information. Enjoy!