RIVERVIEW, N.B. – Not even a crystal ball could have predicted that Riverview Middle School would get some international attention this week.
Earlier this week, the school was transformed to resemble the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the “Harry Potter” series of books and movies.
A picture of the cafeteria decorated as Hogwarts dining hall went viral, drawing more than 1.5 million hits online from around the globe.
Kate Manderson, a grade six English teacher, said the whole school is excited.
“We were shocked but are very, very happy because the kids in this school are amazing and they deserve the attention,” she said.
Teacher Armand Doucet, known this week as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, came up with the idea hoping to cast a love of reading over the school.
“The goal is simple: to get the kids excited about learning, excited about reading and to create some excitement in January since it’s the dreariest month,” he said.
It appears as though the spell worked. Grade six student Pia Massro picked up her first Harry Potter book this week.
“I started reading it on Wednesday and it’s pretty good so far,” she said.
With teachers dressed like wizards and students decked out in costumes playing a game of human chess, the energy in the school this week has been electric.
“I have always loved the Harry Potter series and to have the fantasy come to life is pretty cool,” said student Robin Weiland.
Especially Friday, when the winner of Harry Potter Triwizard Cup was handed out to the class with the most participation.
As a perfect cap to the end of a magical week at the school, Ellie Darcey-Alden who played a young version of Harry Potter’s mother, Lily, in the last film spoke to the winning class via Skype.
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