Schuylerville Elementary School students are being challenged to read as many minutes as they can in the month of March, in an effort to help seriously ill children and their families. It’s all part of the Read for Ronald McDonald House Program, which raises funds to support the Albany Ronald McDonald House. Students attended a kickoff assembly on Monday, Feb. 4, where they learned about the program and who they will be helping.

“We’re excited to take part in the program again this year and to show our students that they can make a difference,” said Cassandra Luthringer, school counselor.

This is Schuylerville Elementary School’s fourth year participating in the Read for Ronald McDonald House Program. Over the past three years, students have helped raise nearly $14,000.

This year, students wishing to participate will be asking family and friends to sponsor their reading for the month of March with pledges of either a flat amount for all reading accomplished during the month, or any amount of money they decide per minute read during the month. Students will keep track of the number of minutes they read on their March reading logs. At the end of the month, students will collect their donations from their sponsors and return the donations to school. The donations will then be collected by a Ronald McDonald House representative to help benefit the families of the Albany Ronald McDonald House.

All student participants will receive a personalized participation certificate and students will be recognized on the morning announcements and receive a Read for Ronald McDonald House bracelet after collecting their first $5.