It Pays To Read In Union City Middle School

By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
 
Union City, Tenn.–Those who say it doesn’t pay to read have never participated in Union City Middle School’s Accelerated Reading program.
 
Students at Union City Middle School ‘s AR program – dubbed the “Purple Pages” – were rewarded for piling up points and earned special treats recently with an ice cream party and a trip to the local skating rink.
 
UC Middle Schoolers read books throughout the year and take tests online to earn points. The program gives incentives to students to keep reading in addition to their already-expected classroom reading materials and assignments.
 
A point system was developed to reward those students who excel, with levels from 25 to 400 points and elevated prizes at each level.
 
Points earned start at 25 and range to 400.
 
Their rewards are as follows:
 
25 – Ice cream sundae party and a restaurant gift certificate
50 ­‑ End-of-year party (water games, inflatables, kickball tournament, concessions)
75 – FREE DRESS and a “Purple Pages” T-Shirt designed by UCMS student Kate Crabtree
100 – Skating party
150 – $20 gift card (Amazon, Wal-Mart, GameStop, Itunes)
200 – Trip to the Memphis Zoo
300 – Scavenger hunt and prizes
400 – Dash for Cash
 
The school’s PTO and parental volunteer group is instrumental in the AR program.