Sophia Freeman, left, paints Ellie Newcomb’s face like an oompa loompa from the Roald Dahl book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Riddle Elementary School on April 23. It was during the family carnival to mark the end of One School, One Book, in which Riddle students and staff read “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Riddle Elementary School students and staff recently enjoyed a visit to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

They read “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl as part of the school’s One School, One Book.

In its fifth year, the program allows students and all staff to read the same book and participate in activities related to the selected tome.

“The kids ask for it. It’s a lot of fun, and it involves families, and that’s a win,” said Riddle third grade teacher Leesa Kolter and One School, One Book organizer of why the school continues to have the program.

A committee chooses the title each fall, with Kolter saying “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was picked “because it’s fun.”

“It’s a familiar theme, but not very many of the students had actually read the book,” she said.

Riddle staff announced the book during an assembly on March 25 after spring break. Copies of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” were handed out, and Riddle Principal Luke Biernacki read a portion of the book.

Over the past few weeks, kids watched videos of various Rochester Community Schools’ staff and community members reading the book.

“We’ve had dentists, doctors,” said Kolter of people who have read books through video for One School, One Book over the years. “We had the mayor … and we usually have some staff from Columbia (Elementary School) because the kids miss them and … middle and high school people they know because it’s a really good way for them to see that everybody reads.”

“As we’re reading every day, we have trivia, so they can win prizes and show their book knowledge. We do activities in the classroom,” added Kolter. “(Recently) we did a middle of the book check-in, and so they made candy bars.”

Kids also brought in photos of them reading the book at home and doing activities for show-and-tell.

Students got to watch the play “Willy Wonka Jr.” at the Rochester High School auditorium right after spring break directed by RHS graduates Jennifer (Elliott) Estes and Jayson Elliott.

On April 22, RCS Superintendent Jana Vance read the last portion of the book to kids. Events culminated with a family carnival on April 23, with “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”-themed crafts, games and refreshments.

Kolter said kids “really enjoy” One School, One Book.

“You hear them talking about it to each other and the ideas and how they see things,” she said. “It just gives them something that the oldest and the youngest can talk about and share positive things from their home, so it’s a connector.”

One School, One Book is paid for with donations and via school fundraising.

“It usually costs us like $6,000, so it’s expensive,” noted Kolter.

People may donate for One School, One Book by sending monies to Riddle and mentioning they are for the program.