Book Fair Returns To GM Bowler Elementary

By STEPHANIE BUNKER

The Progress

The annual Spring Book Fair hosted by the Grant Bowler Elementary Parent Teacher Organization was back last week after a couple of years off due to the pandemic. It was attended by many students, teachers, and parents through the course of the week looking for new and interesting reads.

“The Book Fair is a great opportunity for people to grow their home library and encourage reading,” said Bowler PTO member Lissa May who helped with the Fair.

This book fair is known for its amazing deal on kids books: buy one get one free.
“It’s cool you get double the number of books for your money,” said May. “The kids really like getting the most bang for their buck.”

Shelbie Leatham helped to organize the event she said,
“It is so fun to see the kids come in with their own money buying books,” said local mom Shelbie Leatham, who also helped at the sale.

Scholastic Books is the company providing books for this annual fair. May explained that Scholastic sends the inventory and all the tools the PTO needs to host the event. “Scholastic doesn’t usually have the same books year after year,” May said. “They change what books they sell so there is always something new coming in.”

Allie Francom was at the Book Fair finding her favorites. “I like how there are a lot of books here to pick from,” she said.
Allie said that her dad was buying books for her and her siblings that day. But she also got to come back the following day with her class and buy more books with her own money.

She picked out a book called “Ground Zero” telling a story about the falling of the Twin Towers on that fateful day on 9/11.

The PTO doesn’t earn money from this fundraiser, but they do earn books. Depending on the number of books sold through the course of the week, Scholastic sends the PTO books that they then donate to the school library.

Bowler teachers benefit from the book fair too. They can create a wish list of books they want to add to their classroom library. Parents and students can then purchase those books to donate to their classroom.

PTO volunteer Brandy Harter said, “People are excited to get back to normal life and back to school. This buy one get one sale has been so great and we are thankful for the support people have shown.”
Judging by their stock flying off the shelves it was successful year, May said.

Parents also had an advance look at the May Day baskets and an opportunity to buy raffle tickets at the Book Fair. Raffle tickets will also be sold before the May Day Dance on Friday, May 6. Throughout that event drawings will be held to pick the winners. These elaborate baskets sponsored by businesses in Moapa Valley were donated as a means for the PTO to earn money for the school.
“We use these funds for things like teacher appreciation things or school programs,” May explained. “We get so much support from the parents.”

Different baskets included BEX sunglasses, Fusion Dance tuition certificate, items to help with car washing, barbecues and more. One basket included a boogie board, slip n slide, and sprinkler play mat.
“We weren’t sure how the baskets were going to turn out at first but the businesses that donated have gone above expectation and have made some amazing baskets,” Leatham said. “We want to give a big thank you to them.”