Fort Norman (Oct 09/06) - One Sahtu school went the extra mile last week to help more people fall in love with reading.

Teachers Lorraine Kuer and Annie Harding co-ordinated National Literacy Week's "Read for 15" event at Chief Albert Wright school in Tulita.

Corrine Andrew, left, and Shauna Etchinelle were among the 143 Tulita participants in Literacy Week activities at Chief Albert Wright school. - photo courtesy of Neil Barry

The Oct. 3 event attracted 143 participants.

"Students, parents, and guardians gathered in hallways and classrooms to celebrate the joy of reading," said Kuer.

"The community was invited to tea and bannock at 11 a.m., followed by the reading event at 11:30."

Both elementary and high school students were encouraged to invite "a buddy" from the community to share in fifteen minutes of sustained reading, she added.

Staff at Chief Albert Wright school really wanted to highlight the importance of family literacy.

"Parents and guardians, and older siblings showed by example, that reading should be a vital activity in every child's daily routine - both at school and in the home," said Harding.

"The NWT Literacy Council was amazed by Tulita's response."

The plan was not a new idea around the school, they explained.

"Reading Buddies" is an ongoing school initiative that pairs older students with those in the junior grades to share in various reading activities.

In Grade 10 English classes, students are also taught the value of reading within the family.

"Even if a high school student finds reading to be a challenge, the cycle can be broken," they said.

"If that student commits to encouraging his or her children to read at home."