Since 2020, the read-a-thon has been an annual month-long event at Colonial Elementary School. The fundraiser brought in more than $100,000 in the last five years and $10,000 this year alone. The event was started by the PTA to promote literature and raise money for Colonial’s outdoor classroom.

Every year, Kindergarten through fifth grade students are challenged to read as many books as possible within a month. This year’s read-a-thon ran from Feb. 3 through the end of the month, which gave students the February school break for extra reading time.

“Volunteer parents from every grade track the minutes of reading from each class,” said Lisa Horten, former Colonial PTA president and current organizer of the read-a-thon.

The PTA volunteers determined the winners for each grade: Jennifer Coffey (Kindergarten), Amy Moore (first grade), Caitlin Mattina (second grade), Rebecca Bower (third grade), Erin Bane (fourth grade) and Rytas Stankunas (fifth grade). The volunteers also calculated the average number of minutes read in each class from each student.

“Colonial parents are very supportive,” said Horten. “My own kids have gotten really into reading, and this makes it fun.”

Horten, who also works for 914Cares, organized a drive in partnership with the the read-a-thon called “Fill the Van.” This drive collected essentials for Westchester County families in need, including pajamas and books.

The money raised by all the reading will go toward Colonial and its green committee, which is seeking to install a flood mitigation system to solve the persistent flooding from Highbrook Avenue.

“A bioswale has been approved by the PTA to help control flooding,” said Allison Anderson, co-chair of the Colonial Green Committee. “That introduces special native plants into our ecosystem to absorb the excess rain water. This is a hands-on opportunity for children and parents to learn about plants.”

The bioswale has yet to be approved by the district.