Read-a-thon 2026

The Spring Fundraiser officially kicks-off February 23rd and finishes with a school wide reading celebration on Friday, March 6th.


This year’s Read-a-thon theme is Read, Laugh, SOAR!

Register NOW at awepto.org/awereads

Track Fundraising Progress on 99Pledges

WHAT IS READ-A-THON?

Read-a-thon is a PTO hosted Spring Fundraiser- our LARGEST fundraiser of the year. Students will raise flat or per minute pledges and then be challenged to “Read, Laugh, SOAR” in a school wide CELEBRATION. All students will get to participate regardless of financial participation.

STUDENTS WILL…

  1. READ 📚 March 2-6th

    Students will set reading goals for Read Across America week, the week of March 2nd-6th, and then record their reading minutes at school and at home.

  2. LAUGH 😂

    Great books are often filled with big emotion; which is why we want our students to learn that books = laughter. Throughout the week we’ll be highlighted hilarious stories and encouraging students to participate in “With Books, I Can” Spirit Days for enhanced silliness.

  3. SOAR 🦅

    Students will ask for reading sponsors, which will help our school raise needed funds while encouraging their reading goals. They’ll earn prizes along the way and end the week with a school wide celebration.

WHAT WILL THE MONEY BE USED FOR?

The first $5,000 will go towards our Classroom Care & Supply Program. To fill the gaps in classroom needs, we supply each certified teacher with a $100 gift card.

Funds raised over $5,000, with a goal of $15,000, will go towards our Renew A Room Program, giving our 100 year old school the TLC it needs. Multiple rooms could use a makeover! We're excited to announce this years Renew A Room funds will go towards...the 📚📚📚SCHOOL LIBRARY📚📚📚!

Our school wide goal is $20,000!

By collecting pledges from family and friends across the world, you are supporting all of Alexander Wilson Elementary and the surrounding community.

March 9th- Last Day for Donations to Count Towards Prizes. Top fundraiser, reader and classes will be announced March 10th. Charms will be distributed on Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch!

INDIVIDUAL PRIZES

  • REGISTER

    Student gets to customize their Read-a-thon bookmark with a special silly student photograph, protective cover and tassel.

  • EVERY $10

    For every $10 you raise (up to $250), you’ll get to pull a charm from the bag for your celebration chain. Pull a lucky charm and pick a prize from the prize box!

    plastic charms in various colors. Treasure chest prize box.
  • $250 RAISED

    Silly String a Staff Member! Any student that raises $250 by Thursday 3/5 will silly string a staff member on the READ-LAUGH-SOAR CELEBRATION DAY, Friday 3/6!!

    popcorn and movie clapperboard. Text says "VIP Afterschool event"
  • $500 RAISED

    You’re invited to an after school Ice Cream & Hero “ACT”ion party.

  • TOP FUNDRAISER

    The top fundraising student will get to be Principal for the Day!

  • TOP READER

    The top student reader, with the most logged reading minutes, March 2nd-March 6th, will get to be Librarian for the Day!

CLASSROOM, GRADE LEVEL & SCHOOL-WIDE PRIZES

  • TOP FUNDRAISING CLASS FROM EACH GRADE

    $50 Gift Card for Teacher & Silly Class Photos with School Eagle Mascot (2-3 Digital Copies for parents/guardians)

  • SCHOOL GOAL $5,000 RAISED

    Author Visit on 3/6 READ-LAUGH-SOAR CELEBRATION DAY.

  • SCHOOL GOAL $20,000 RAISED

    WATER BALLOON PARTY! Let’s have some fun tossing water balloons at our AWEsome teachers and staff! Awarded to all students, the last day of school, once the School-wide goal of $20,000 raised is reached. All students will participate.

  • Kindergarten Incentives

    Each Grade level/classroom had the option to add their own incentives for their students. Here’s what they’re working towards!

  • 1st Grade Incentives

    Each Grade level/classroom had the option to add their own incentives for their students. Here’s what they’re working towards!

  • 2nd Grade Incentives

    Each Grade level/classroom had the option to add their own incentives for their students. Here’s what they’re working towards!

  • 3rd Grade Incentives

    Each Grade level/classroom had the option to add their own incentives for their students. Here’s what they’re working towards!

  • 4th Grade Incentives

    Each Grade level/classroom had the option to add their own incentives for their students. Here’s what they’re working towards!

  • 5th Grade Incentives

    Each Grade level/classroom had the option to add their own incentives for their students. Here’s what they’re working towards!

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Signing up your student(s) takes 1 minute and will allow us to create a personal tracking webpage for your student. This page makes reporting reading minutes and requesting pledges fast and easy.

    GO TO AWEPTO.ORG/AWEREADS‍ ‍TO REGISTER.

    ALL students should register so they can track their reading minutes. Financial contributions are encouraged but not required to participate.

  • You’ll receive an email from us, through 99Pledges, to access your student’s personal tracking webpage starting February 23rd.

    CUSTOMIZE IT: Add your student’s personal message, picture and individual goals.

  • Track and report reading minutes this week using your student’s personal tracking webpage.

    Participate in the “With Books, I Can” Spirit Days for enhanced silliness.

    • Mon 3/2 - Tacky Tourist Day - With Books, I Can Go Anywhere

      (Ideas: socks with sandals, loud shirts, sunglasses, cameras, maps, fanny packs)

    • Tues 3/3 - Anything (BUT) Human Day - With Books, I Can Be Anything

      (Ideas: alien, monster, animal, robot, food, object—just definitely NOT human)

    • Wed 3/4 - Seriously Silly Day - With Books, I Can Laugh Out Loud

      (Ideas: mismatched clothes, silly socks, fun shirts, goofy accessories)

    • Thursday 3/5 - Anything BUT a Hat Day - With Books, I Can Imagine

      (Ideas: wear something on your head that is not a hat)

    • Friday 3/6 - Pun Day - With Books, I Can Play With Words

      (Wear a pun costume! And/Or “Paws to Read,” bring in your favorite stuffed animal to celebrate our final day)

  • Anyone that has raised $250 by the end of the day on Thrusday, March 5th will get to Silly String a Staff Member as part of our READ-LAUGH-SOAR CELEBRATION DAY, Friday 3/6!!

  • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

    Read-a-thon is a huge undertaking, and help is needed throughout, especially on Read-Laugh-SOAR Celebration Day. Please consider donating an hour of your time to make this a success. Sign up here!

  • MAR 9th- This is the Last Day for Donations to Count Towards Prizes & Beginning of School Bookfair.

SCHOOL BOOK FAIR, March 9-13th

The week following Read Across America and Read-a-Thon, the Literati Book Fair is coming to AWE!

You can send spending money with your student or add funds to a digital giftcard for your student to use at the book fair: https://literati.com/a/gift-card. Be sure to search for and select Alexander Wilson Elementary.

Gift cards can also be gifted to teachers through this same link!

Can you volunteer?

Help guide little minds to find and choose their new favorite books. Help run the cash register and be ready to enjoy the excitement that comes with an elementary school book fair.