Principal Hafner: I Will Walk 12 Miles to School for Reading Challenge

Principal Sam Hafner hopes that a trip to the shoe store is in his future for a new pair of walking shoes. 

That's because Hafner has challenged the 331 students at Liberty Bell Elementary to each read 100 books by May 4. If each student lives up to the challenge, Hafner has promised to walk to school from his Upper Macungie home. 

"It's a bit of a hike," says Hafner. The route will take the principal through Emmaus, over the mountain range and down 309 towards Coopersburg. "I will have to leave the house at 3 or 4 in the morning."

The challenge is part of 2012 Lion Olympic Reading Challenge, themed after the upcoming Olympics in London. Each class, or "village" picked a color and a banner, and then paraded into the gym for the "Opening Ceremonies" kickoff March 2. The torch was carried relay style into the gym, with superintendent Leah Christman taking part in the final stretch of the race. 

Students who read 50 books (a book is defined as 25 pages) get a "bronze medal" on the medal wall in the cafeteria. An additional 25 books moves that student to the silver level. It takes 25 more than silver (for a total of 100) to go for the gold. "It's great for the kids," says Hafner. "Any reading counts, newspaper articles, magazines...chapter books can count as multiple books. They love it."

As for the walk, Hafner is ready for the challenge. "I've plotted my route. I'm ready to go as soon as the kids hit the goal. Who knows? I may even get moving a little early and stop at the Coopersburg Diner for breakfast."