In this episode of Inspiring Viking Values, we highlight one of the Grand Island Central School District’s and Tonawanda City School District's most meaningful early literacy initiatives: Growing Readers. Launched in 2018, this community-based effort helps place free books into the hands of families during well-baby visits, encouraging parents and caregivers to begin reading aloud to their children from the very start.

This conversation explores how early literacy, strong family connections, and community collaboration can work together to build a lasting love of reading in young children. Our guests discuss the origins of the initiative, the importance of reaching families before children enter school, and the powerful role that schools, pediatricians, libraries, Rotary, and community partners play in supporting language development and literacy.

Featured guests include Cheryl Cardone, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services for the Grand Island Central School District; Stephanie Anderson, principal; Maureen Roussi, early childhood educator; Faye Teluk, President of the Grand Island Rotary Club; Sarah Infante, Assistant Superintendent for the Tonawanda City School District; and Bridgette Heintz, Librarian Director II at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library branch on Grand Island.

Together, they reflect on why investing in babies, toddlers, and families is one of the smartest and most hopeful things a community can do.

https://www.grandislandschools.org/
Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD
Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT
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We are launching a brand-new series on the Inspiring Viking Values podcast—Book Talks! Each installment centers on student voice, authentic literature-circle discussion, and the joy of reading for understanding.

Special Guests:

• Mrs. Stephanie Anderson (Principal)
• Mrs. Janet Balk (Librarian)

We are so excited to have 8 students joining us today.

Kindergarten

• Gabby
• George
• Malakai
• Cillian

1st Grade

• Melanie
• Athena
• Ella
• Easton

https://www.grandislandschools.org/
Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD
Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT
Facebook - GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT

We are launching a brand-new series on the Inspiring Viking Values podcast—Book Talks! Each installment centers on student voice, authentic literature-circle discussion, and the joy of reading for understanding.

Special Guests:

• Mr. David Howe (Principal)
• Mrs. Stephanie Pritchard (Librarian)
• Dylan Nowak, grade 2. She is currently reading Wings of Fire.
• Emilia Hassler, grade 3. She is currently reading The Twits by Roald Dahl.
• Bobby Donnelly, grade 4. He is re-reading Sign of the Beaver.
• Benny Carpenter, grade 5. He is reading Pride and Prejudice.

https://www.grandislandschools.org/
Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD
Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT
Facebook - GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT

We are launching a brand-new series on the Inspiring Viking Values podcast—Book Talks! Each installment centers on student voice, authentic literature-circle discussion, and the joy of reading for understanding.

In this episode we are featuring the librarian and four students at Huth Rd Eelementary School.

Special Guests

Principal, Max Pikula, Librarian, Freda Orosz, and students Hannah, Louise, Michael, Lincoln, and Astrid.

This episode reminds us that students are not passive readers. They analyze motives, weigh ethical dilemmas, draw parallels to their world, and let literature sharpen who they’re becoming. Book Talks is not just about reading it’s about voice, identity, and discovering the agency to make meaning.

https://www.grandislandschools.org/
Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD
Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT
Facebook - GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT

Today on our podcast we are recording a podcast with Mrs. Amy Boutet, our HS Musical Director. We are very excited about this podcast episode as we will be previewing the musical with some of our students representing the stage crew, the Pit and our actors.

Amy Boutet - Teacher - Musical Director) Jaymee Gray (Stage Manager), Nick Jayme (Seymour), Claire Neuhaus (Audrey) and Lily Buckingham (Pit).

CLICK HERE to buy tickets.

https://www.grandislandschools.org/
Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD
Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT
Facebook - GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT

Today we’re launching a brand-new series on the Inspiring Viking Values podcast—Book Talks! Each installment centers on student voice, authentic literature-circle discussion, and the joy of reading for understanding.

Our first book spotlights The Hunger Games, the opening novel of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy and a story that continues to resonate with young readers more than fifteen years after publication. Students examine how characters make choices, resist systems, navigate loyalty, and find personal agency inside a world designed to limit it.

Featuring: Dr. Felicia Pallaci - Principal, Lauren Moelbert - VCMS Librarian, Julia Benjamin - 8th grade, Adaira Manzi - 7th grade, EJ Nowak - 6th grade.

This episode reminds us that students are not passive readers. They analyze motives, weigh ethical dilemmas, draw parallels to their world, and let literature sharpen who they’re becoming. Book Talks is not just about reading it’s about voice, identity, and discovering the agency to make meaning.

https://www.grandislandschools.org/
Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD
Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT
Facebook - GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT

Joining us on the podcast were the Huth Road Elementary principal, Maxwell Pikula, and four third grade students, Isaac Covell, Spencer Sheehan, Emilia Golba, and Joise Dalbo. In this episode they spoke about the October Viking Cares initiatve and how every student at Huth did something special for the community.

https://www.grandislandschools.org/
Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD
Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT
Facebook - GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT

Joining us on the podcast were the Sidway principal, Stephanie Anderson, two teachers Lauren Brock and Lindsey Brzozowski and two students, Ezra Golba and Alexander Buccini. In this episode they spoke about the October Viking Cares initiatve and how every student at Sidway did something special for the community.

https://www.grandislandschools.org/
Twitter - @GrandIsland CSD
Instagram - @GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT
Facebook - GRANDISLANDSCHOOLDISTRICT