April 17, 2025
As springtime takes hold across Prince George County, it means it's time for baseball season and great opportunities to enjoy a good book under sunny skies and a warm breeze. For students at South Elementary School, these two things - baseball and books - were melded together in a unique reading challenge culminating with a trip to The Diamond in Richmond in mid-April.
SEE MORE PHOTOS: PGCPS on Flickr
In late February, Nutzy, the flying squirrel mascot of Richmond's double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, made a special stop at South Elementary School, visiting students and teachers and reading a story with dozens of kids in the school's cafeteria.
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Afterward, each student was given a bookmark and a goal: Read eight books and color in a baseball on their bookmark for each book they complete. If they turned in their completed bookmark by March 21, they were given a free ticket to attend a Richmond Flying Squirrels game.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the South Stars traveled to Richmond to see the stars of Richmond's minor-league baseball team take to the plate to face the Chesapeake Baysox. According to South Elementary Librarian Tiffany Maxwell, over 160 students completed the baseball bookmark challenge, and close to 80 students attended the mid-week game.
During their visit to the historic Richmond ballpark, students enjoyed the game and even got to take part in a parade around the field led by their new friend Nutzy before the game.
As we celebrate School Library Month throughout the month of April, librarian staff in our schools play a critical role in inspiring a love of reading in children. Through their creative projects, such as the recent visit of children's book author David Gorman (Waldameer Mystery Files) to South Elementary in March, and other engaging initiatives, like those with the recent baseball-themed reading challenge, our libraries are places of excitement and exploration for students.