Read-a-thon FUNdraiser
During the 2023-2024 school year, 137 students submitted their logs (either online or paper) for a 34% participation rate. They did an amazing job logging over 1,182 HOURS over the course of 2 weeks!!
Based on their submissions all eligible students were entered into a random drawing for various prizes to include gift cards to Red Balloon and tickets to Sky Zone!
We'd love to see even more submissions in 2025. Reach out if you want to get involved with the Fundraising committee to help increase participation (we know the students are all reading daily!!)
The 2024-2025 Read-a-thon is tentatively scheduled for
Friday, February 21 – Sunday, March 7
See below for an example of information provided last year:
Welcome to our annual Jie Ming Read-A-Thon! The PTA is very excited to kick off this wonderful event. This FUNdraiser is a great way for families and friends to support our school and for students to take pride in working hard on their reading skills while earning money for their school. Last year we successfully raised over $15,000. We were able to use that money to help supplement our school library with books, STEM backpacks, functional book browsing bins and other supplemental student support. This year our goal is to raise at least $15,000 and will be using the money to support literacy education at Jie Ming, purchase classroom supplies, and support our teachers in the great work they do with our students!
Read and track your minutes from
Monday, March 11 – Sunday, March 24
Submit reading logs and any donations online between
Monday, March 11 - Sunday, March 31
or a paper copy to your teacher through Thursday, March 28
Submit donations online through Sunday, March 31
General Information
We want all students to participate, whether they are able to raise pledges or not. Our goal is 100% reading participation!
We hope students will get family, friends and/or neighbors to support Jie Ming by sponsoring them in their reading goals. No donation amount is too small.
Sponsors can pledge their support by the minute read or as a flat donation.
Students will log their reading from March 11th through March 24th.
Online Sponsorship collections and reading logs are due by Sunday, March 31st. Paper copies are due to your teacher on Thursday, March 28th.
Students should receive a copy of the tracker in their folders on Monday, March 11. If you want to print another tracker, you can do so below. Note that we encourage all to use the google form link above (or QR code on the tracker) to submit your totals.
Guidelines for Kids
Any reading inside or outside of the classroom counts.
Being read to by a parent, older sibling, friend, grandparent, etc. counts.
You are allowed to read any type of reading material (comic books, graphic novels, how-to books, magazines, e-books, fiction or nonfiction, etc.).
Reading aloud to other people counts. If you read to a brother or sister who is also participating, it counts for both of you!
Time spent listening to audiobooks can be added to your reading log.
Re-reading books is okay, especially for early readers!
Reading that is assigned as homework DOES count.
Please be honest so the contest will be fair and fun for everyone.
Prizes
All Grades Prizes
All students will be able to select a book of their choice at the book giveaway to be held in April
Each class that reaches 100% reading participation in the read-a-thon will get to have a comfy day
Grades K-2 Prizes
All students that read at least 100 minutes will be eligible for a drawing for one of ten $10 Red Balloon bookstore gift certificates
All students that read at least 200 minutes will be eligible for a drawing for one of four $25 Red Balloon bookstore gift certificates
All students that read at least 300 minutes will be eligible for a drawing to win 2 passes to Sky Zone trampoline park
Grades 3-5 Prizes
All students that read at least 150 minutes will be eligible for a drawing for one of ten $10 Red Balloon bookstore gift certificates
All students that read at least 300 minutes will be eligible for a drawing for one of four $25 Red Balloon bookstore gift certificates
All students that read at least 450 minutes will be eligible for a drawing to win 2 passes to Sky Zone trampoline park
All Donations are Tax Deductible
Ever donation made through the Read-A-Thon is fully tax deductible. You just need a donation receipt!
Online
Any donation made online will automatically create a receipt.
Cash or Checks
Any cash or checks that are dropped off at the school can also get a donation receipt emailed out. Just make sure to not only include three simple things with that sponsorship:
Sponsored Child's Name
Name of Sponsor
Email Address of Sponsor
Make a Note "Receipt Requested"
The receipt will then be emailed to the sponsor 2 - 3 weeks later.
Look for the Virtual Library icon on the school issued iPad, which brings you to the SPPS Virtual Library Page. Tap “Elementary” to find several reading resources
Other Links
Library Go - Virtual library card for Saint Paul students
OverDrive / Libby for Kids - E-books and e-audiobooks for kids
Bookmobile May Schedule - Year-round service to Saint Paul Neighborhoods