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GREENBURGH, N.Y. Dylan Pattignano of Hartsdale could have 75 to 100 more books at his fingertips next year if his school gets the most votes in the Books 4 Our School challenge.
The Lee F. Jackson Elementary School student's mother, Nadia, heard about the challenge through the school's PTA, of which she is a member, and has been busy spreading the word.
"It's important for our schools young students to have access to as many books as possible," Nadia said in a statement. "We need to show the parents of our children in the school that if we all pitch in to our childs education, we can make a difference in their lives."
Voting for the challenge closes April 30, and is open to residents of Westchester, Rockland, Nassau, Suffolk, and Fairfield, Conn., counties and all of New York City. It is sponsored by the Brooke Jackman Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting children's literacy, and NYMetroParents, publisher of eight regional parenting magazines.
An influx of books in the Lee F. Jackson School library would be a welcome addition, Nadia Pattignano said, considering the tough economic times.
"We're not in a rich neighborhood, so not all kids can go out and purchase their own books," she said.
On April 17 Nadia took her son to the No Excuses Reading Festival, sponsored by the school PTA. The event featured Spikey the Reading Dragon, the school's mascot to encourage reading, and drew more than 60 children, she said.
Grace Yu was the first Lee F. Jackson parent to vote for her school, and has been able to get the PTA involved to encourage participation.
"I see how happy and excited my son is when he reads," Yu said.
In all, there will be 20 winners: the 10 schools with the most votes and 10 schools selected at random will all win 75 to 100 books.
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