4 Hart teachers get their heads shaved to reward students for reading

Hart’s Spitler Elementary staff, left to right, Aaron Schlukebir, Leo Martinez, Todd Hamilton and Tom Stoneman get their heads shaved as part of a “March is National Reading Month” event.

HART — The “Lil’ Pirates” of Spitler Elementary School enjoyed watching their teachers get their heads shaved this afternoon as a reward for reading.

The event was organized to celebrate “March is National Reading Month.” The students were initially given the goal of reading 20,000 minutes before March 27 to earn a fiesta celebration.

But, a bonus goal of 30,000 minutes was recently revealed to the students to up the ante. Last year, 21 staff members took a pie to the face, but this year four brave staff members agreed to have their heads shaved in front of the entire school if students reached their goal. As of today, 35,700 minutes have been read.

“I am just really proud of the kids,” said Aaron Schlukebir, a second grade teacher whose head was shaved. “They really got fired up about reading this month.”

“It was fun, especially when the students started chanting, ‘Shave their heads!’” said Leo Martinez, K-5 technology teacher.

“I believe we should try anything to motivate a child to read,” said Todd Hamilton, West Shore Educational Service District teacher, who also lost his locks today.

Local stylists Melissa Monroe, Cathy Pretty, Lyrin Russell and Amy Babbin donated their time to shave the heads.