(EMU) – St. Kitts, May 23, 2016: Encompassing the vision of the Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School, which is to promote academic and social learning, the school’s reading week 2016 climaxed on Friday 20th May, with a march through the streets of Basseterre.
Students, staff, parents and well wishers came together to promote the importance of developing the skill of reading, among special needs students, under the theme; ‘Splash into Reading’. From 17-20 May the students of The Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School participated in a week of activities that showcased their talents and most importantly the significance of reading.
The third annual reading week saw the creativity and talent of students at every tier of the school. Namely; early infants, visually impaired, pre-readiness and readiness as well as the vocational students. The resourcefulness of the students this year was driven by the theme of fairytales. The students were given the opportunity to depict, perform and remix some of these classical and timeless tales including, Mary had a Little Lamb and Goldie Locks and the Three Bears.
Speaking on behalf of the school, Mrs. Doriel Bowry, head of the Reading Department expressed how the idea came about. She explained that approximately three years ago the thought came to her and naturally she approached the Principal with the idea and everything fell into place. Fortunately, the reading week has been successfully implemented since then. “I suggested that we should do something to make the students feel more like they belong. From looking at the other schools we realized that each one has a reading week, so I decided, why not have one so the students could feel as though they are not just stereotyped, but feel as though they are like every other student.”
In sticking with the theme, the students created an exhibition depicting their artwork and craft, participated in a treasure hunt, reading competition, dramatization night, as well as a climatic march. Parents and the community on a whole got involved as well by donating their time to read to the children.
The Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School is an educational facility that caters to the needs of children with a variety of disabilities. The Unit began operating in Nevis in 1981 and in St. Kitts in 1982. The Mission of the Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School is to equip each student with skills that will enable them to lead as independent of a life as possible; thus creating a spirit of self-acceptance that would enhance their self- confidence and self-esteem.
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