By STEPHANIE BUNKER

Progress

The annual spring book fair hosted by the Grant Bowler Elementary Parent Teacher Organization was back last week after a few years off due to the pandemic. Many students, teachers and parents attended throughout the week in search of new and interesting reading material.

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

This book fair is known for its incredible offer on children’s books: buy one, get one free.
“It’s cool to get double the pound for your buck,” May said. “Kids really like getting their money’s worth.”

Shelbie Leatham helped organize the event, she said,
“It’s so fun to see the kids come with their own money to buy books,” said local mum Shelbie Leatham, who also helped with the sale.

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

Allie Francom was at the Book Fair to find her favorites. “I love that there are a lot of books to choose from,” she said.
Allie said her father bought books for her and her siblings that day. But she was also able to come back the next day with her class and buy more books with her own money.

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

The PTO does not make money from this fundraiser, but they do make books. Based on the number of books sold during the week, Scholastic sends the PTO books which they then donate to the school library.

Bowling teachers also benefit from the book fair. They can create a wish list of books they want to add to their class library. Parents and students can then purchase these books to donate to their class.

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

Parents were also able to take a look at the May Day baskets and have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets at the Book Fair. Raffle tickets will also be sold ahead of the May Day dance on Friday, May 6. Throughout this event, raffles will take place to choose the winners. These elaborate baskets sponsored by businesses in the Moapa Valley were donated to help PTO earn money for the school.
“We use those funds for things like teacher appreciation things or school programs,” May explained. “We get so much support from parents.”

Different baskets included BEX sunglasses, a Fusion Dance school certificate, items to help with the car wash, barbecues and more. A basket included a boogie board, a slide and a play mat with sprinkler.
“We weren’t sure exactly how the baskets would turn out at first, but the companies that donated exceeded expectations and made some amazing baskets,” Leatham said. “We want to say a big thank you to them.”