Book Fairy uses her magic to encourage character growth
With a touch of magic and a wave of her wand, Webutuck Elementary School Principal Jenn Hengen transformed herself into the Book Fairy for Halloween before making the rounds to read “The Giving Tree” in November. Photo submitted

Book Fairy uses her magic to encourage character growth

WEBUTUCK — School just got a little more magical for the students at Webutuck Elementary School (WES) and their parents as the North East (Webutuck) Central School District (WCSD) began welcoming the new WES Book Fairy program into classrooms last month.

The hope is to engage students in the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) character trait of the month program and for parents become a part of the classroom.

As far as how the idea for the Book Fairy took flight, Principal Jennifer Hengen said WES is currently considered a comprehensive support and improvement (CSI) school. That means it needs a comprehensive educational program geared toward academic improvement.

WES was previously identified as a CSI school in early 2019 due to its low student performance rate. In response, a committee of parents, teachers and administrators formed to address academic improvements and enact academic interventions.

While the committee was working on its plan for the current school year, it looked at improving parent engagement and student voices as well as inclusivity and differentiation.

To gather ideas, the committee conducted a student survey, a parent survey and a staff survey.

In their responses, Hengen said students mentioned they wanted more ways to have their parents be part of the classroom and engaged in what they’re doing. Out of the surveys “came something fun and exciting to engage our students in our PBIS character trait of the month to promote school safety and behavior,” she added.

Now, each month, Hengen said the Book Fairy reads a book to exemplify a trait on the PBIS character tree.

Asked how they choose the trait, she explained WES has an all-school assembly every six-day cycle that focuses on the Word of the Week and the character trait of the month.

To give the students a taste of what to expect, Hengen dressed up as the Book Fairy for Halloween and later sent out a video to parents to watch and share with their children. She also sent parents a list of birthdays for the month, the featured character trait of the month, the Word of the Week and a book for them to read to their children — all of which she hopes will spark conversations at home and reinforce the program’s message.

With gratitude and thankfulness as November’s PBIS traits, Hengen picked out Shel Silverstein’s classic story, “The Giving Tree.” She then went to each WES classroom on Tuesday, Nov. 23, to read Silverstein’s book aloud to students.

After reading the book to each class, Hengen added “The Giving Tree” to each classroom’s library so students may check it out and read on their own.

In addition to engaging them in the story, the Book Fairy asked students to think about what they were thankful for, especially with Thanksgiving just days away.

Asked how far she plans to take this new program, Hengen said she’ll be the Book Fairy until the end of the school year. With “cooperation” listed as next month’s PBIS character trait, she anticipates making her rounds to read  “Pumpkin Soup.”

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less