CORAL HARBOUR - Students at Sakku School are toting their books in new backpacks during reading month in Coral Harbour.

February's reading month is a region-wide initiative being observed by a number of Kivalliq schools.

Grade 4 teacher Sharon Pomeroy heard about a backpack program that runs through the Victory Christian Centre in Edmonton through a friend who was attending the church.

Pomeroy took it from there and was able to get about 250 backpacks donated to Sakku earlier this school year.

"It's well-known in Edmonton that the Victory Christian Centre distributes 5,000 backpacks to less fortunate families in the city," said Pomeroy

"I called to ask if they'd consider sending any leftover backpacks to Coral.

"They sent about 250 and offered to do it again next year."

Pomeroy said the backpacks were sent to Coral on the generosity of First Air, and then delivered to the school for her to distribute among the children.

She said the kids were happy and excited to receive the backpacks.

"They've been used for everything from homework and field trips to carrying around hockey gear.

"The intention was to use them to promote our homework program and that seems to be working."

Pomeroy also organized a Reading Club at the school this month.

The club meets one night a week, with 10 or more students attending.

Boys have joined the club in the past, but it's harder to get them interested.

Pomeroy said she's still trying to get more boys to attend.

She said each club meeting has students read books, discuss them and write down words they don't know.

"The kids who really want to read are here when the club meets, so we have a strong group who enjoy reading, and they're the ones who attend regularly.

"The kids have a diverse interest in the types of books they like to read.

"They interact with me, and each-other, quite well during our meetings, and they show a lot of respect to everyone who attends.

"It's a structured club with a set of rules the kids follow."