Hundreds of students from across Prince Edward Island recently participated in the Million Minute Challenge on National School Library Day to raise awareness of the importance of literacy, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
“Congratulations to all students for taking the time to participate in this exciting challenge,” said Minister Currie. “Reading is an extremely important aspect of life and events such as the Million Minute Challenge go a long way toward promoting the benefits of literacy as well as the services available at Island libraries.”
Several activities were organized for the challenge which was held on October 27, National School Library Day. The PEI Teacher-Librarians' Association coordinated the Sixth Annual Million Minute Challenge at schools and libraries across Prince Edward Island. This year, Island students and teachers recorded 1,234,151 minutes reading in one single day.
Cardigan Consolidated School recorded the most minutes spent reading per person at an average of 259.86 minutes per person. Second place goes to Eliot River Elementary which was closely followed by Birchwood Intermediate School. Rounding out the top five schools for this event are Mount Stewart Consolidated School and L.M. Montgomery Elementary School respectively.
Morell Regional High School was also recognized as the top high school. Birchwood Intermediate topped the intermediate schools and Parkside Elementary School recorded the most minutes per person among schools in the Western School Board. This year, a class from the University of Prince Edward Island also participated in the Million Minute Challenge. Dr. Ray Doiron’s students became the first UPEI class to take part in the reading competition.
“I was pleased to see so many students take part in the Million Minute Challenge,” said Minister Currie. “I encourage all students, teachers and all Islanders to continue exploring the services and opportunities available in school libraries across our one Island community.”
For more information, contact the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.