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CCSD Library Services hosts naming contest for a new sloth mascot

Zane holding sloth ‘Slow down and read,’ is the new slogan of Cherry Creek Schools Library Services. This slogan is paired with a new sloth mascot, who was in need of a name. 

To help excite students across the district about reading, the Library Services Department held a district-wide naming contest for their new mascot. They also purchased two stuffed sloths—one to travel around the district, and another to live in the district library. 

“One of the things that I wanted to do was give our library services department an identity,” said Cherry Creek Schools Library Services Partner, Len Bryan. “I thought, why don't we have a slogan of ‘slow down and read’? Because we're all in a hurry, we're all rushing.” 

The naming contest received over 200 entries with fantastic names including Bookie, Leo, and Flash. In order to determine the winner, students were asked to vote on their favorite name. 

The winning name was Nugget, submitted by Willow Creek Elementary kindergartener, Zane Tardiff. Zane said she was inspired by the Denver Nuggets basketball team! 

As a prize, Zane received a miniature stuffed sloth, and a week with Nugget in her classroom. 

“One of our strategic goals in the district is literacy,” said Bryan. “While we teach literacy in class and with direct Sloth with booksinstruction, kids only really get good at reading when they get a chance to practice. This is a very engaging event to motivate them to practice. Especially for kindergarten kids who may not quite be reading yet, but are excited to give Nugget a hug and begin developing contextual and pictorial literacy.”

Nugget has an official ID badge and is ready to visit students across the district. Look for Nugget in your school library soon!