News and Media

One for the Books

Counting on kids

ALLISTON UNION PUBLIC SCHOOL, Simcoe County DSB

It is a rural school with a small enrolment. But following its astonishing book collecting effort, Alliston Union really should be called an extra large” school. Their story started in 2012, when grade 3 students filled 92 boxes – over 5,000 paperback and hardcover books. With that, Alliston Union set a record for most books ever collected by a single school.

My favourite part was counting the books. I hope everyone in Grenada and St. Lucia have enough books now.
Anna, grade 3 student 

Apparently not content with their achievement, students decided to hold another book drive. Just before Christmas in 2013 and with the support of teachers Becky Kennedy, Veronique Vandermeer and Lori Chowen, students this time amassed 133 boxes –breaking their own record. 

Our Grade 3 students have been working very hard to collect, sort and box books for our book drive,” says Greg Jacobs, Principal at Alliston Union. The response from our school community has been incredible! The number of people who will have literacy resources in their hands because of our students is amazing, and I am very proud of the work they have done.”

Or as Lori Chowen said: They crushed it. They’ve really done everything, it’s amazing.”

Edited from an article by Maija Hoggett in Simcoe​.com © 2013 Metroland Media Group Ltd.


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