Big Lake Elementary School students have a new incentive to dive into their books: the chance to win a brand-new bicycle! These shiny wheels, one for a boy and one for a girl, were donated by the Skagit Valley Masonic Lodge #36 as part of the statewide Bikes for Books program sponsored by the State Masonic Grand Lodge.
The program aims to inspire a love for reading by rewarding students for reaching literacy milestones. At Big Lake Elementary, every student is entered into a drawing for the bicycles, with additional entries awarded to those who meet their reading goals throughout the year. This year, the drawing will take place during the all-school assembly on the last day of school, where members of the Masonic Lodge will be present to personally award the bicycles to the lucky winners.
The Bikes for Books program isn’t limited to Big Lake Elementary. The Skagit Valley Masonic Lodge #36 donated 26 bicycles in total: 14 to Sedro-Woolley School District's seven elementary schools, 10 to Stanwood, and 2 to La Conner. Each school tailors the program to meet the needs of their students, with teachers setting benchmarks for participation and determining the length of the reading challenge.
At Big Lake, this initiative has become a community effort. The Big Lake Parent Group Association (BLPGA) has generously provided bicycle locks and helmets for past winners, ensuring that students can safely enjoy their prizes.
For more information about the Bikes for Books program, visit the Skagit Valley Masonic Lodge #36 website at district9wa.com/skagit-valley-lodge-36.