Sabin Elementary School is getting ready to defend its state championship for the Reading Is Fundamental campaign. The contest begins Jan. 26 and ends Feb. 6.

The challenge involves parents, grandparents, government leaders, local athletes, celebrities, members of the business community and others. Students receive a “Passport to Reading” to take home. Parents log the students’ reading on the passport along with any bonus family activities, then sign the passport and send it back to the school at the end of the two-week challenge. All the reading activities have to be completed outside of the regular school day.

The school also receives points for the number of community members, parents, high school volunteers and others who read with children during the challenge. Students will be writing letters to invite participation by community members.

Last year, Sabin won the state championship by having more hours than any other school in Colorado.

Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF) prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most. Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. RIF programs annually serve five million children of all ages, most of whom are at risk of educational failure, with a focus on those from birth to age 11. All RIF programs combine three essential elements to foster children's literacy: reading motivation, family and community involvement, and the excitement of choosing free books to keep.

Sabin Elementary School is located at 3050 S. Vrain St. The school’s telephone number is 303-936-3413.