January and February are notoriously hard months in the lives of educators and students. The cold. The snow. The e-learning days.

Teachers are constantly looking for ways to excite kids during these months, and this year at West, Head of the English Department, Mrs. Remy Garard has come up with a solution that also encourages a reading culture. 

“One Book One School” is a student and staff book club that will begin on February 15. Students and staff will meet to read and discuss The Midnight Library by Matt Heig.

Garard originally ran a book club called “Book Buddies,” which was for AP English students and various staff to read the same book and hold discussions. The club was a way for students to connect with staff in the morning before school.

Although “Book Buddies” was a huge success, Garard began recognizing some interest from students outside of the AP classes.

So, she officially changed “Book Buddies” to “One Book One School,” so that all students can participate in it and not just those in AP English courses.

“I just think anytime that we promote a culture of reading that we’re doing what we should as a school,” Garard comments.

Garard’s current AP Lit students will be the student-leaders of various groups of students and staff for the club. Those involved will meet either before school, after school, or during lunch hours on four separate occasions. There’s three or four students to four to six teachers.

If any students are interested in joining they should check in with their English teacher.

If any staff is interested in joining they should reach out to Mrs. Garard at [email protected].