Grace Christian School every March sponsors an “ Idita-Read “ contest for the elementary grades to encourage an hour of reading each night by students. There is a gigantic mural on the wall (over 50 feet long) that tracks the Iditarod race progress of each of the mushing reading teams. There is even a team for the administration. The principal, Chris Gionet reads a very 'spirited' update at the end of each school day! It’s a fun and creative way to get kids to read 60 minutes a night and a great way to follow the iconic and uniquely Alaskan Iditarod.
UPDATE: The students in this story, the Metzger Mastiffs 3rd Graders? They won the 2023 ‘Idita-Read’ !They will get the ‘Golden Snowshoe’ AND a Pajama and Movie party complete with donuts! Congrats!