Operation Read USA Inc.’s Book Boogie, a reading incentive program for elementary-aged children, is underway at Milford Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year. Prizes are awarded each month to the top two readers in each class and a teacher/staff member who read the most each month.
Shown beginning their reading adventures, in front from left are Lola Stoller, Quinn Haynie and Caraline Deak.
In back are Noah Coffin-Auer, Bennett Berkeypile, Adler Beer, Aiden Griepentrog, librarian Cheryl Pearson, and Kensington Kephart. Photo provided by DeeAnna Muraski, Operation Read CEO.

News Release

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Operation Read USA Inc.’s Book Boogie is a reading incentive program for elementary-aged children.

Operation Read CEO DeeAnna Muraski stated “The children have a lot of required reading during school, which can make them resistant to reading so we wanted to encourage them to see reading for pleasure as something to look forward to and enjoy.”

The Book Boogie program launched successfully for the 2022-23 school year at North Webster Elementary School. Muraski challenged the school to read a half-million pages, and they exceeded it by reading over 545,308 pages.

Operation Read secured Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch to present the awards and had PBS-Michiana there to interview all the different people who were impacted by the program. You can view the interviews at wnit.org/educationcounts/s/operation-read-1.html

Operation Read recently announced the school selected for the 2023-24 school year is Milford Elementary School. The program for children is optional and each month the program starts over with reading totals accumulating for the whole school year.

Prizes are awarded from Operation Read each month to the top two readers in each class and awards to a teacher/staff who read the most each month. Muraski said “This not only provided something fun for these hard-working teachers; but also, they were leading by example.”

Parents are given an overview flyer to be aware of the opportunity for their children. The sheet includes helpful statistics and research on the importance of reading to increase standardized test scores, performance and exposure to new words. They also received a rubric of what counted and did not count. Audio books do not count (because that is not reading but listening) and required reading for school did not count (unless it was specific assignments related to reading a book). Reading to their child counted (for kindergarteners). The program includes children in kindergarten to fifth grade.

Each month two children from each grade and one teacher are provided with the top awards. They receive a goody bag filled with: hard-back books, snacks, games, free restaurant meals, etc. Thirteen awards are given each month and one to the top teacher reader. All teachers who read receive a $10 gift certificate (we know how difficult it is for them to find the time).

To support Operation Read and/or sponsor this program call (574) 529-5783 or email [email protected].

About Operation Read

Operation Read fosters literacy from birth to 100 years old in Kosciusko County. Operation Read USA, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated with the Indiana Secretary of State.

Its mission is to “Encourage the lifelong love of learning through reading.” Operation Read is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Grants, corporate and individual donors, and fundraising efforts provide critical support for the literacy programs provided. For more information on Operation Read visit operationreadusa.org or call the director at (574) 529-5783.