MONTE VISTA—The Bill Metz Elementary fourth grade class is reading its way to Denver. More specifically, they are reading their way to an overnight trip in April to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Zoo.

To raise funds the class has been conducting a read-a-thon. Generous sponsors have given donations in return for the students pledging to read for sets amount of time. The class has raised over $2,000 for the trip. For the last nine mornings the 4th grade class has set aside an hour to read books as promised. The students can be seen taking their commitment very seriously.

During the trip the students will have the exciting opportunity for a hands-on experience at the museum, a visit to an IMAX theater and finally viewing all the animals at the zoo.

Fourth grade teacher Colleen Vanderpool has organized the event and received the approval from the board of education for the trip. Vanderpool believes the trip to the capital of Colorado will be the trip of a lifetime for many of the young students.

She is also excited that the fundraising method is helping to also improve literacy among the fourth grade. Students have asked several people including teachers for sponsorships and donations. “It’s been a learning experience for the students to ask people for donations,” said Vanderpool.

Vanderpool learned of this trip, that several schools including Alamosa already take, last year. She reached out to the museum originally wanting a May date and learned the month was already booked a year in advance. “If it’s booked so far in advance then I believe it’s something that schools must find to be valuable,” she said.

The students will be well taken care of during their trip with transportation, catered meals and chaperones. Vanderpool and the other fourth grade teachers and students are very appreciative to all the sponsors, donors and chaperones that are helping to make a successful trip.

Donations are still being accepted by the Monte Vista School District.