The Family Reading Night has become an annual tradition for Legacy Elementary School. Around 50 families showed up to this year's event. Legacy staff were pleased to see how the event has continued to grow over the years.
This year’s events were arranged in a festival like environment. They had the library full of guest readers including volunteers from Lubbock Fire Rescue, Frenship Police, Lubbock Christian University Cheer Team, and Frenship High School Pom.
“Students were so excited to read to and with these special volunteers,” said Legacy counsellor Valerie Llanas.
They even had special guests like Texas Tech’s Raider Red and the H-E-Buddy who joined in the fun reading with families and taking pictures.
Additionally, they had informational tables from Literacy Lubbock who shared books with families and promoted educational programing, the Lubbock Public Library who signed up families for library cards and the Girl Scouts who shared about the Free Little Library program.
The computer lab was also open, and for families to look at digital programs that build reading skills presented by the Legacy campus reading specialists.
Families were also able to attend sessions presented by the 3rd-5th grade teachers which gave information on how to build literacy skills at home. In the cafeteria, the 2nd grade teachers hosted a Poetry Slam and students were able to perform a poem for the audience.
“The Poetry Slam was a huge hit,” said Llanas. “It was wonderful to see the students perform and the families support their children.”
The 1st grade teachers hosted literacy games and had a bookmark decoration station for students. The Pre-K and Kinder teachers organized a book walk, where students could win books to take home.
Llanas stated, “the best part of the evening was seeing our families interact together and watching students be so excited to pick books.”
Students who visited seven stations or more received a free kids meal coupon from Raising Canes and the opportunity to dress up as their favorite storybook character, wear pajamas or wear a hat to school last Friday.
“This night is beneficial to our students and families because reading is an essential skill for school success,” said Llanas. “We hope families after participating in the fun activities are encouraged to read to their children, visit the local libraries, and promote a love of reading in the home.”
Most families left the evening with multiple books to add to their home libraries. Legacy will host a STEM night in the Spring and look forward to fostering the home and school partnership. These events are part of their Title I parental environment events to provide parent education to support the home school connection.