Elementaries Celebrate Dolly Parton and Reading On ‘9-25’
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WHEELING - They might not know the rigors of working "9 to 5" each day yet, but some local students channeled the spirit of the late Dolly Parton on Friday by dressing up in sparkles, reading new books and encouraging their families to donate to Parton's “Imagination Library" program.
Friday was Sept. 25, or "9-25 Dolly Parton Day" celebrating the life of the county music singer and songwriting star. It pays homage to one of Parton's best-known hits, "9 to 5," the theme from the movie in which she also acted.
Parton's "Imagination Library," which provides books to children up to age 4, also has provided the gateway to reading for many of today's young students.
During the day, students at Woodsdale, Warwood and Bethlehem elementary schools took in "a cup of ambition" inspired by Dolly by reading and wearing western-themed wear and rhinestones.
"It was nothing too outrageous, but we wanted to have a little commemoration day," said Warwood Elementary Principal Robert Demarest. "We encouraged staff and students to dress like Dolly.
"Also, we are collecting new and gently used books for our book vending machines. Dolly had such an impact on literacy with her book giveaways."
Students at Warwood Elementary earn tokens for the book vending machine by doing daily readings, he explained.
"We had a lot of the students participate," Demarest said. "It was a great turnout today."
He noted that several staff members came to him and suggested the school do a Dolly Parton Day. He believes it could become an annual event at the school.
"Any time we can highlight literacy, it is a wonderful thing," he said.
Yes, Demarest did plan to play "9 to 5" over the school's loudspeakers before the end of the day.
Woodsdale Elementary Principal Chalmer Moffett termed Friday "an exciting day" at the school.
"We were trying to celebrate the legacy of Dolly Parton. I'll admit I really didn't really know the legacy of Dolly Parton until I started working with young people," he explained. "I've found out it isn't just about her showmanship, but about her Imagination Library."
Part of the school's commemoration on Friday was about collecting donations that will later be turned over to the Imagination Library, Moffett continued.
"I went around talking to students and putting books into their hands to inspire reading," he said. "I love reading. A lot of our students love reading."
Moffett said there was "a ton of pink" worn to the school on Friday. Some of the students were in full cowgirl and cowboy outfits and decked out in rhinestones."
Moffett noted he heard the song "9 to 5" playing in the classrooms as he walked through the school on Friday.
"The students have been doing a lot of reading activities, and a lot of grade level-based activities," he said. "I popped into the classrooms to see a lot of reading.
"This is the first year we've done something like this, but it has had a good impact. It is something we will look into doing next year. We want to promote reading as much as possible because it's a life-long skill. We want them to take that away from Dolly Parton Day."
Moffett added it was two speech pathologists at the school - Beckett Cort and Emily Skrabak - who suggested the celebration of "9-25 Dolly Parton Day."
Bethlehem Elementary celebrated the day in much the same way, according to Principal Drew Villani.
Students there of course wore pink, but some also chose shirts "of many colors" to pay tribute to Parton.
"We're encouraging families to donate to the Imagination Library that has benefitted so many of our students," Villani said. "They send them books up to age 4."