BERWICK, Pa. — For many students in elementary and middle school, the Scholastic Book Fair is a highlight of the school year. Students shop in a mini bookstore set up inside the school.
But when the book fair comes around again in the spring, things will be a bit different in the Berwick Area School District. According to the district's superintendent, because of increasing concerns from parents, teachers, and administrators, the Scholastic Book Fair will no longer be held during the school day, like the one held this past week.
The event scheduled for May will be held online and at night when parents are able to shop with their children.
"We have multiple other opportunities for books during the day for students, including but not limited to the Reading is Fundamental program, book donations from United Way, the school library," said Berwick Area Superintendent Wendy Kupsky.
"If the kids want to read any kind of book, we should just be allowing them to read it because sooner or later, no matter what we think about, they're going to do it. They're going to find it online. You go to Google, you're going to find it," Briana Smith of Berwick said.
The parents we spoke with aren't happy with the change. John Kelley from Berwick has a child in second grade.
"I think they should still continue it the way they had it because it gives the kids a learning chance, how to buy stuff on their own for in the future for when they get older instead of relying on their parents. It's just a good experience for them in school," Kelley said.
Kupsky tells Newswatch 16 a teacher found at least one book with profanity at the most recent book fair. The superintendent says some parents and administrators also expressed concerns about violence in books geared toward elementary school students. But the parents we talked with had fewer reservations.
"They should be able to read whatever they want. It helps them progress in their skill levels of reading and stuff," Kelley said.
"You should just trust your kids and trust they know what they're doing," Jacob Kinzer said.
"It's just basically a freedom of speech. We're going to find bad words. We're going to find discrimination and things like that. This is a part of today's world. We've just got to keep on moving on every single day, and our kids will learn," Smith said.
Kupsky says the Berwick Area School district is also looking at book vending machines, which would allow officials to easily monitor titles.