BOOKWORMS IN ACTION

Twice a year our lower school events coordinator, Miss Puliafico, plans the scholastic book fair for our lower and middle school students. It starts with a choice: What do I want to read? And since being empowered to choose their own books is a milestone opportunity to identify and express their own voice, kids also leave the Book Fair as bolder, prouder, and stronger individuals. Our book fairs would not be possible without our wonderful PTO. Members of the PTO volunteer their time to help enhance our book fair for the students, and our students recognize their hard work!

As the largest children’s publisher, Scholastic brings their expertise to

WELCOME ON BOARD, MS. BERRIOS

choosing books that turn kids into readers. The students were able to pick out their favorite books. Some favorites include Captain Underpants, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, The Good Egg, Dog-Man, Pete the Cat. At Pioneer we love motivating students to read.

We love creating an environment where students are given ample opportunities to grow and expand their reading skills.

We know that establishing a curiosity for different genres of books is crucial for student engagement in the future. Watching our students brush their fingertips across the rows and rows of titles until something sparks their interest is magical to see.

By bringing in the Scholastic Book Fair every year, even hesitant readers begin to recognize the joy that comes with finding a good book to get lost in.

I want to better help my students with any of the social emotional things they might be struggling with.

3 Fun Facts About Yourself

1. I was a competitive cheerleader for 15 years and now I am a coach.

2. In college, I was the president of my sorority, Sigma Delta Tau.

3. My birthday almost always falls on Super Bowl Sunday.

Your background of teaching

I went to Ramapo College and graduated with my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. I did my student teaching in a third grade class and accepted an end of year maternity position with Kindergarten. I have now been at Pioneer for two years teaching 2nd grade.

What is one of your favorite memories at Pioneer?

Some of my favorite memories come from the different field trips that we go on. It is a great time to bond with your students and try new things. My personal favorite is the trip to the aquarium that 2nd grade goes on.

What is a professional goal you have?

My professional goal is to go back to school to get my Masters in Psychology.

I want to better help my students with any of the social emotional things they might be struggling with. Eventually, I would like to move into guidance counseling.