The second annual Family Literacy Night at John Gregg Elementary School was a resounding success after drawing more than 120 students and parents on Nov. 1 for an evening of educational fun.

Organizers Angela Smith and Kathy Stewart, who are Title I teachers at the school, said it was their largest draw yet and families of students in grades K-3 enjoyed a camping-themed night together. Camp Read-A-Lot included a series of stations with games and activities that brought students and their families together.

“We had a sight-word cave where kids used flashlights, plus we had free food and S’mores,” said Smith. “There was a Roll and Read station where they used dice and a Read and Illustrate station, a rock-climbing wall, firefly-themed poetry and crafts and a vowel fishing pond.”

In addition, attendants had a chance to browse the school PTO’s Scholastic Book Fair and the organization also used accumulated points from last year’s book fair to purchase literature for each child. Organizers said the district also donated pencils and bookmarks and provided hot dogs as refreshments.

“It was all learning-based and intends to make reading fun,” added Stewart “There also backpacks full of games and books as door prizes, plus we had a storyteller reading to the kids.”

“We try to promote early literacy skills with family engagement and get kids excited about reading,” Smith interjected. She said the success of last year’s venture helped build interest in the recent event and organizers hoped the momentum will continue to grow for future endeavors.

“I think the word spread last year. We had such positive feedback from that and the word spread,” she commented.

“We also did a lot of advertising with flyers and a one-call,” Stewart added. “We were also excited to see a few of the board members and superintendent show up.”

They thanked their fellow teachers and staff who donated their time for the event and the district and community for further support.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of our staff, teachers, administrators and even the custodians. The John Gregg family came together in a collaborative effort,” Smith concluded.