The Library welcomed more than 800 students throughout the day on Friday, March 1, as part of its celebration of Rockwood Reading Day. 

Language arts classes were invited to come to the Library to read for the first or last 20 minutes of their periods. Students also had the opportunity to sip on tea, hot cocoa, Capri Suns or water as they read.

Ray Holmes, librarian, looked forward to seeing students enjoy reading.

“I feel students and teachers don’t often get permission to take time to enjoy a book during the day because the school day is pretty busy for everybody,” Holmes said. “I’m hoping that the students enjoy getting that opportunity.”

Abby Sander, freshman, went to the Library in her fourth hour Accelerated Language Arts class. During that time, she read “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon.

Although Sander mostly reads required books for class, she enjoys spending time in the Library.

“My favorite genre is dystopian, so I like looking in that section,” Sander said.

During first, third and seventh hours, Liz Pease, language arts teacher, took her classes to the Library to participate in the event. She said some students were excited when they heard about the celebration.

“I did see one student do a fist pump when I mentioned there would be hot chocolate or tea of their choice,” Pease said.

While Pease said she understands that reading is a struggle for many students due to short attention spans, she said reading is a way to teach students important life skills.

“The essence of empathy, vocabulary building and knowledge building is hugely important, and if people can have the opportunity to get that on their own time, per se, maybe they will take their own time outside of school and read,” Pease said.