Frozen Yogurt Tops off Reading Program

There’s nothing like wrapping up a successful reading-incentive program with frozen yogurt.

At least, that’s what the faces of students were communicating Tuesday morning.

Girl Scouts Troop No. 1026, with girls from and middle schools, made it a project this year to turn mostly English-language learners into lovers of reading.

“I didn’t really love to read until I was in sixth grade,” said Niguell Hills seventh-grader Camryn Geske. “By doing this program, I can see they all love to read. … It’s so great to see them loving to read so early.”

The program the Girl Scouts offered is called Accelerated Reader. They’ve been coming to the school on Saturdays since March.

“We would read to them if they were too young, and they would read to us,” said 13-year-old Kate Whitham, a Marco student. Then the students would take a test to check reading comprehension and award points.

The program has a competitive element to it, as the students earn prizes – and ultimately a frozen yogurt party – for those who earn enough points, Geske said.

“You could go up to a friend and say, ‘How many points do you have?’ ” she said.

The scouts used the money they raised from Girl Scout cookiesto award prizes along the way.

The girls plan to continue the program next year, and even help build up the school’s library with a book drive this summer, they said.

As three waves of about 70 students came in and out of the multi-purpose room for their frozen treats – sponsored by – Principal Peggy Baerst let them in a cheer of “Thank you Troop 1026!”

After which one girl shouted, “Bravo!”