SHERBURNE – The Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School kicked off the beginning of its People As Reading Partners (PARP) program on Friday. For the next three weeks, students will be encouraged to read with a partner for at least 15 minutes a day, five days a week.

Last year the elementary students exceeded their reading goal of 33,000 minutes. “This year we’re going to push the envelope a littler farther. We’re going to shoot for 35,000 minutes of reading,” Elementary Principal John Plesniarski said. He announced this year’s theme will be “Heroes,” and introduced a few local individuals to speak to the students about what being a hero means to them.

S-E high school teacher Bruce Rounds spoke to the children about his experience in the Air National Guard. Rounds, who teaches global history and economics, has served three tours in the Middle East, and is scheduled to go back for his fourth in December. He will be gone for approximately 90 days.