IVE PTA Read-A-Thon 2026: October 2-16

Register now for Read-A-Thon!

Time to get reading, Cougars! The IVE PTA is hosting a Read-A-Thon fundraiser with the goal of raising $20,000 for programs in the school. Register today and start logging reading minutes on October 2!

If Cougars read 1,000 hours collectively, they'll earn a special "Dress Like A Book Character" day on the last day of the Read-A-Thon. Students who fundraise will also get digital "RAT bucks" to spend on toys and other special items at the online Read-A-Thon store.

Read on for more information about Read-A-Thon!

HOW READ-A-THON WORKS

As students collect donation pledges via their Read-A-Thon dashboard, they’ll earn digital “RAT bucks” equal to 15 percent of funds they've raised. They can spend “RAT bucks” in the Read-A-Thon online store on prizes ranging from pencils and friendship bracelets to art supplies and stuffies. Prizes will ship to the school be distributed roughly two or three weeks after the fundraiser ends on October 16. The class that raises the most money by 11:59pm on Oct. 16 will win one-hour arcade cards generously donated by Arena Sports Issaquah!

Additionally, students will win a special “Dress Like A Book Character Day” for the entire school if they read for a collective 1,000 hours. Paper forms are available if families would prefer to participate offline. Email readathon@ivepta.org for more info.

All reading counts as Read-A-Thon reading! That includes reading at home or at school, reading to self or listening to someone read aloud, and listening to audiobooks!

IMPORTANT READ-A-TON DATES

October 2: Read-A-Thon kicks off!

Get signed up and start logging minutes! There also may be some surprise guests at school to celebrate the start of Read-A-Thon. Keep an eye out for some familiar faces! 

October 7: IVE Read-In and Stuffie Sleepover

Families are invited to attend a "read-in" event at IVE the morning of Oct. 7. Watch your email for more information!

Also on Oct. 7, Cougars are invited to bring a favorite stuffie to school so it can attend a sleepover in the library with Mrs. McCulloch. Students should bring their stuffie to school Wednesday morning, and the PTA will pick them up from class and take them to the sleepover. (Stuffies will be tagged so no one gets lost at school.) We’ll return stuffies Thursday morning after their night in the library. Students can watch morning announcement the following week to find out what kind of fun their stuffies got up to!

October 15: Literacy Night

IVE's Literacy Night happens on Thursday, Oct. 15. Families are invited enjoy a pizza dinner in the MPR starting at 5pm, then attend break-out sessions detailing how to encourage literacy at home! The whole family is invited to attend.

October 16: Dress Like a Book Character Day

If readers meet their goal of reading for 1,000 hours collectively, we'll celebrate with "Dress Like a Book Character Day" on Friday, October 16 - the last day of Read-A-Thon!

A few things to know about this special day:

• This is a schoolwide celebration; all students can choose to wear a book-character costume to school on October 16.

• Costumes don't have to be elaborate to be fun. Encourage your students to find items already in your home that can be used to make a costume. Costumes should be appropriate for school (no weapons), and shouldn't cover faces.

• Not sure if your student's favorite costume is a book costume? If it can be found in the library, then it is! That means Pokemon, Minecraft, superheroes and more are welcome.

FAQs

Why is Read-A-Thon a fundraiser? 

Fundraisers like Read-A-Thon are critical for PTA programs at IVE. This is what pays for field trips, the art program, Popcorn Fridays, Cougar Store and more.

Do you accept matching donations from employers?

Yes! IVE PTA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and many employers offer donation matching. Requesting a match from your employer program is a great way to increase your impact.

How much of my donation goes to the PTA?

We partner with the Read-A-Thon.com platform to bring this fundraiser to IVE. Read-A-Thon.com keeps 25 percent of proceeds raised in exchange for our online prize store and the use of their Read-A-Thon-specific fundraising platform.

Can I make a cash or check donation? 

Cash or check donations can be dropped off in the school office, and will not be subject to any fees from our Read-A-Thon platform. Please make your check out to Issaquah Valley Elementary PTA, and note "Read-A-Thon" in the notes field, as well as your child's name and their teacher. 

How do I register my student(s)?

Visit IVE's readathon.com page and follow the prompts. Select your student's teacher to start. You will need to enter your student's name, as the school list is not pre-loaded on the website. Once the setup process is complete, you will arrive at your student's dashboard. If you wish to add an additional student, you can visit the menu in the top-right corner.

How do I log minutes?`

Start at your student's dashboard. You can either visit the left-hand pop-out menu to start a new reading session, or visit the "minutes" feature by the prize store. You will have the option of entering minutes that have already happened or using a clock to time your reader.

Paper reading logs are also available for families who prefer to participate offline. Paper logs can be turned in at the school office after the last day of Read-A-Thon (Oct. 16). 

I still have questions - where can I get help?`

Please reach out to readathon@ivepta.org with any questions.