Elementary school students at Michigan International Prep School (MIPS) have been honing their literacy skills the past few months during the pandemic in a weekly series called “MIPS Virtual Story Time.” MIPS is a statewide online charter school with a drop-in Learning Lab in Howell.
MIPS students and families from all around Livingston County and the state have gathered (virtually) weekly to share in a love of reading, good stories, fun camaraderie, and some old-fashioned show and tell.
Each story time was headlined by a special guest reader who has a vested interest in young students and their success. MIPS elementary school students were read dozens of fun and fascinating books by the special guest readers, including:
- State Sen. Lana Theis
- MIPS Elementary Teacher Nicole Oliver
- State Rep. Hank Vaupel
- Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) President Dan Quisenberry
- MIPS Elementary Teacher Emily Sauer
- State Rep. Brad Paquette
- MIPS Elementary Teacher Mallory Hoppe
- MIPS Elementary Teacher Chloe Bennett
- Livingston County Field Representative for U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Mona Shand
- Parent Advocates for Choice in Education (P.A.C.E.) Director Lynn Aronoff
- State Rep. Annette Glenn
MIPS elementary school teacher Chloe Bennett said, “MIPS Virtual Story Time has been a wonderful way for students and teachers to join together and experience some joy during the pandemic we are currently experiencing. It has been a blessing to see everyone’s smiling faces, enjoy a good book or two, and have a discussion about them.
“My favorite part is seeing the students interacting with each other and making friends. The students have also really enjoyed having the guest readers. They think it is so cool that they can meet and interact with a real state representative. Story Time has easily become the highlight of my week — I look forward to it as soon as it is over.”
MIPS serves students in grades K-12 all across the state of Michigan and offers Learning Labs which offer in-person tutoring, academic, and social-emotional support five days a week. The Howell Learning Lab is located at 114 W. Highland Road, in front of Kroger.
More information about MIPS is available by visiting the school website or Facebook page.
