DECEMBER 2023
Hill Elementary School students parade as book characters in annual tradition
As a principal, this is one of the best days of the year because the whole Hill community gathers to celebrate books, creativity and imagination, - Amy Carnie
Hill Elementary School students stepped into the shoes of their favorite literary characters during an annual fall tradition. The school’s preschool through second-grade students marched throughout its hallways and outside of the building adorned in costumes representing various storytime figures in the book parade. “I like that you get to dress up and it’s really fun because you get to dress up,” Hill second-grade student Brooks said. He came in his best Kansas City Chiefs gear to represent his top NFL player, Travis Kelce, with his biography in hand. Staff, peers and families lined up along the route to cheer on the students. Harry Potters, Avatars,
princesses and several other wellknown book characters could be spotted during the event. “It’s really, really big because you can walk around the classes,” fellow second-grade student Tatiana said. “I saw my brother and he was clapping.” She was decked in her best bee costume to highlight her favorite insect. Hill’s book parade also adds energy and excitement around a key skill – reading. The event allows students to make real-life connections from their books, which boosts their learning. “As we read stories in the classroom, one of our main focuses is on the characters of those stories,” Hill second-grade teacher Morgan
Arens said. “This event connects because students are thinking about books they have read or are reading and who the characters are and why they like that particular character.”
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The Hawk tradition also allows the school to build a greater community with students, families and the surrounding neighborhood.
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“As a principal, this is one of the best days of the year because the whole Hill community gathers to celebrate books, creativity and imagination,” Hill Principal Amy Carnie said. “There is not another day that brings more happiness to school and promotes the positive and engaging school culture that we have here at Hill.”
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