By Crystal Hayduk
Nearly 400 people—216 children and their grown-ups—attended Reading Night at North Creek Elementary School (NC) on Feb. 29, said Kim Gabrielson, NC’s literacy specialist.
Targeting students in Young 5s through fifth grade, the Olympics-themed event launched March is Reading Month.
NC Principal Casey Wescott shared in the fun with the students and families participating in a scavenger hunt led by media specialist Christie Baker, an obstacle course, and other literacy-related games.
“We’re thrilled to welcome families into our school this evening,” said Wescott. “Our team found fun games and activities that relate to reading. We hope it promotes conversation and an awareness of [the importance of] reading.”
Other activities included making a themed craft with NC’s art teacher Mikaela Mills, playing book bingo, and taking pictures at the photo booth.
One of the most popular rooms was where teachers read aloud and Barb and Paul Marshall’s therapy dogs, Nugget and Bella, hung out. Students took turns petting the dogs while listening to books, and the dogs loved all the attention.
Students also enjoyed the Chelsea District Library (CDL) display room. Librarian Jessica Zubik brought crates of books and a mobile checkout unit so students with library cards could borrow books on site.
Jacie Velez, PTO representative, helped coordinate Reading Night with Gabrielson. Velez is a parent of two elementary students and a NC paraprofessional. She is passionate about promoting reading, and one of her favorite things about Reading Night is seeing children participating in a variety of fun literacy-related activities.
The excitement will continue throughout March is Reading Month. Guests have been invited to read to students, including Chelsea High School athletes and mystery readers.
If NC students reach the goal of reading 25,000 books, they’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to spray Wescott with silly string when he visits each classroom.
Students at South Meadows Elementary School (SM) are also participating in literacy activities in March, said Principal Stacie Battaglia. To match the school’s theme of “dream, inspire, and achieve,” students are reading books that tell stories about setting goals and chasing dreams.
SM students will have a surprise guest this week, listen to fifth graders talk about their dreams in a TED talk format, hear guest readers, and attend a community meeting led by Battaglia to close March is Reading Month.
“Our students are setting personal goals for their reading and then turning those in for a drawing at the community meeting,” said Battaglia. “They will get to challenge me to some kind of dance-off at that point.”
Reading Night is made possible through the financial support of the PTO and the district, the efforts of dozens of volunteers and district staff, and the district’s collaboration with CDL.
Reading, especially with family support and having access to books at home, benefits children in both the short- and long-term. Gabrielson said one study by Richard Anderson and William Nagy showed that children can learn between 4,000 and 12,000 new words each year through reading books. An expansive vocabulary improves all areas of communication and academic achievement.
March is Reading Month, but it’s always a good day to open a book.
