March 18, 2024

Hundreds take home skills, more from Literacy Night

Second annual Berg Elementary School event promotes reading at home

Image 1 of 2

If the enthusiasm level at a recent event at Berg Elementary School translates into total books read, it almost seems like students there could read all the books that have ever been printed.

The Jan. 26 “Family Literacy Night” event at Berg drew hundreds of students and their families to the school, despite winter weather that caused a two-hour delay to the start of school that day. Games, computer apps, pronunciation exercises and refreshments were part of a second-annual event that encouraged reading outside of school.

Berg Principal Jolene Comer said families appreciate everything teachers do at school to develop strong readers, and are willing to do whatever they can at home to help with the process of developing strong reading skills.

“We had almost 400 students and family members RSVP and attend,” Comer said. “This was our second year for the event. The feedback we received from students was extremely positive. They were very excited to get a new book and literacy activities to play at home.”

Comer said all of the Berg classroom teachers — along with all four Title I reading teachers and TAG teacher Sara Van Manen — helped plan the event at Berg, which is K-3 this year.

The classroom teachers selected the games and activities for their grade level and then helped set everything up and supervise their stations. Katie Wallace had one station that seemed to focus on pronunciation. Amy Antle had a game setup that had students hiding their eyes while another student chose a card.

Comer said the reading teachers had huge roles in organizing supplies and logistics for the enormous event.

Lora Caves ordered all of the books and bags; she and Krista Baumgartner helped give out the books and “shopping bags” to students at the event. JoAnne Price and Brenda Newell, supervised the station in the library media center where parents could get their child’s login information for the Wonders reading site and play literacy games on the site.

Prior to the event, Van Manen contacted numerous local businesses and obtained gift cards that were given as prizes for the event.

The school gym was set up with multiple game stations that created an almost carnival-like atmosphere.

The PTA sponsored the Kindle Fires that were given away as grand prizes in a drawing. One of the winners, Greenely Huff, smiled from ear to ear as she had her picture taken with her new Kindle Fire device.

Comer said even though the event was filled with laughter and excitement, the serious points about the importance of developing reading skills are understood by all.

“I believe that the high participation level of our families shows that our students and parents value the importance of reading at home,” she said.

The principal said she could tell before the event had even been completed that reading at home is something many students readily embrace.

“I noticed many students were reading their book with their parents while they enjoyed hot chocolate before they even left the building,” Comer said.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com