The third grade class at the Upper Elementary School received a very special treat on February 24 - - a visit by two Utica Comets players!
John Stevens, #16, and Zane McIntrye, #31, visited with and answered questions from third grade students. 
Their visit was the culmination of the Upper Elementary School’s “Winter Reading Challenge.” The month long challenge took place from January 13 to February 14 and asked students to read at least 1,000 minutes at home.
As part of the challenge, each Upper Elementary student submitted a log to their classroom teacher at the end of the week noting the amount of time they read at home and the title of the book(s). Students who turned in their log with a parent signature at the end of each week, received a raffle ticket for every day they read at least 20 minutes to enter into a Utica Comets drawing. Prizes included a Utica Comets hockey stick, Utica Comets apparel and an autographed Utica Comets All-Star Game helmet and four game tickets - - the grand prize. Other prizes included lunch with Mr. Polera, principal, and merchandise from the school bookstore, “The Dog House.”
“The purpose of the program is to promote at-home reading,” Mr. Polera said. “Students could read silently or with their parents and siblings. There are so many benefits to reading on a consistent basis.”
The following students won a prize:
Hockey Stick
Juliana A.
Breana B.
Lizzy H.
Johnny J.
Wyatt S.
Zoey V.
Utica Comets Backpack
Wyatt E.
Two Tickets to a Utica Comets Game
Carter W.
Autographed Utica Comets All-Star Game Helmet and Four Game Tickets (Grand Prize)
Collin C.
All students who read at least 1,000 minutes received a special recognition certificate.