ASUN Reads to CIS of Western NV Students

Elementary schools across the nation hold reading weeks to encourage students to develop a life-long love of reading. This year, The Associated Students of the University of Nevada took part in supporting this pursuit – along with the help of Wolfie and some community partners including Communities in Schools of Western Nevada, The Nevada Wolf Shop and Nevada Cheer – during Wolf Pack Reading Day, which was held on Friday, March 3.

The event was comprised of an interactive storytelling of “The Wild Wolf Pack Mystery” at Libby Booth Elementary School and Natchez Elementary School on Friday, March 3. The reading was led by members of ASUN, the cheerleading team and the mascot.The event’s aim was to excite elementary school children about not only reading, but the school experience as a whole, even extending to the importance of a college education. ASUN senators felt the best way to accomplish their goal was to incorporate elements of Wolf Pack game days at the University including cheerleaders and the mascot. However, it was also important to Green and his colleagues that Wolf Pack Reading Day was made available to elementary schools that do not always get the opportunity to host big events.”As a mascot at the University, I often get called in to do readings for elementary schools during reading week,” Green said. “But it’s always at the bigger schools, and I wanted to take that concept and make it something much bigger and more impactful for students at schools that don’t always have the resources for programs like this one.”

In addition to the campus organizations pulling together to donate both their time and resources to the event, Communities in Schools of Western Nevada, a non-profit dedicated to working with at-risk students in Washoe Country to improve retention and learning outcomes, also partnered with the University for Wolf Pack Reading Day. The non-profit helped University students organize their event, coordinated the school visits, arranged for members of the University to read to students and worked with the non-profit’s coordinators and school officials to facilitate the visit.

Auburn Harrison, executive director of Communities in Schools of Western Nevada, felt that this is exactly the sort of event that provides students with enrichment opportunities that they may not have access to otherwise.

“We believe Wolf Pack Reading Day gives students another reason to continue their education and strive toward graduation and college,” Harrison said.