Neil Cummins Readathon
Readathon is the PTO's biggest fundraiser of the year!
We celebrate reading all month long while raising vital funds for programs and resources that enhance the Neil Cummins educational experience. Students enjoy reading-themed activities such as dressing up as book characters, creating bookmarks, and participating in weekly challenges. The celebration culminates with a Readathon Day—a full day of reading, guest author visits, and reading related events across campus.
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Enter the Bookmark Contest!
Every student is invited to design their own bookmark with themes that celebrate reading, books, the Neil Cummins Library, or the Readathon itself.
GRAND PRIZE: One winning bookmark design will be chosen per grade. The bookmark design will be professionally printed for every student in the grade. Winners will be announced at a special assembly.
Have fun, be creative, and share your artistic talents!
DEADLINE: All bookmark designs are due by the end of the school day on Friday, January 30, 2026. Bookmark designs can be turned-in to your teacher or the front office.
Dress Up As a Book Character!
Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 is Dress Up as a Book Character Day! Neil Cummins students have the chance to bring their favorite book characters to life by dressing up & recreating beloved characters from children’s literature. The class with the most participants who dress as a book character wins a special treat!
Order Guest Author Books!
Three Terrific Authors Are Coming to Neil Cummins on Readathon Day — January 28! Support our school and our visiting authors by purchasing a book in advance. After each presentation, authors will take time to sign books and visit with our students. If you would like your child to have a book signed, please preorder through Book Passage using the links provided below. The deadline for preordering books is Friday, January 16, 2026. Get to know the authors and access all ordering details here.
These special links below allow Book Passage to track our orders, and Book Passage will donate 15% of all Readathon 2026 book purchases back to Neil Cummins.
How to Order
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Use the grade-level pre-order links to purchase online from Book Passage.
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Select “In-store pickup.”
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In the comments section, please include:
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Student name
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Teacher’s name
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“Neil Cummins Readathon”
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The Readathon 2026 team is comprised of parent volunteers and includes Julie Clifton, Janelle Henry, Heather Long, Allison Penning, Lauren Quint, Melanie Schier, Ellie Strasser, Paarul Suri, Anne-Marie Tasto, and Tara Tullis who feel fortunate to work together for a great cause.
To get in touch, please email the team: readathon@ncpto.org