At Hartford Catholic School, Kissing The Pig For Reading

The SS. Cyril and Methodius School, the K-8 Catholic institution in Hartford, considers itself a “Center for Literacy.” On Wednesday, Principal Joy Chlus proved that she would kiss a pot-bellied pig named Daisy if it meant encouraging her students to read.

SS. Cyril and Methodius School Principal Joy Chlus gives Daisy the Pig a treat and in return gets a kiss Wednesday. John Woike photo.

Over a recent two-week span, the school’s roughly 90 students read more than 14,000 pages to hit their goals as part of the “Pig Out On Reading” program based in Bristol, said Romina Italia, the school’s enrollment director.

Reaching the target meant a visit from Daisy and her caretaker, a man who goes by the name Farmer Minor.

Italia sent us this note Wednesday afternoon: “Farmer Minor and Daisy visited our school today and Mrs. Chlus KISSED Daisy. The teachers and students also got the opportunity to pet and kiss Daisy. We all petted Daisy and some teachers and students also were brave enough to kiss her. ”

Chlus and third-grade teacher Katie Anthony organized the school’s reading effort, Italia said. And in the spirit of Wednesday’s visit, students were allowed to wear farmer-like clothing instead of their Catholic school uniforms.

Children line up to pet Daisy the Famous Pot Belly Pig at the SS. Cyril and Methodius School in Hartford Wednesday afternoon as part of a reading program. Photo by John Woike.