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Bush School Students Use Their Reading Superpowers

Bush Elementary School music teacher Kathy Brunco works on “how-to draw a superhero” with Bush student Alexandria Braymiller and her mom, Michelle, during the school’s recent Family Literacy Night.

Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman were just some of the superhero readers seen at Bush Elementary School’s Family Literacy Night, which was an idea from the school’s Family And Community Engagement Committee. The night included five literacy stations with a “how-to follow directions” theme such as: how to make paper airplanes, how to create duct tape pencil pouches, how to create origami, how to make “Cootie Catchers” with different educational themes, and how to draw superheroes. Each family was given a card, which was punched at each station to show they participated in the activity. At the end of their night, families handed in their card for a superhero Popsicle. Staff also dressed up as their favorite superheroes. The Family Literacy Night was just one event as part of the school’s Pick a Reading Partner Program.

At the Family Literacy Night, parents and students were asked to sign-up for the Summer Reading Challenge through Scholastic. Bush Elementary School teachers sang “Underdog” and gave copies of the words for students to sing along/read at home. Sandi Walrod, librarian from James Prendergast Library, also read to students and their families. The Bush School PTA donated a photo booth that printed three photos in a row of kids dressed up as superheroes.

The two-week PARP program asked parents and families to read with their child — for Pre-K and kindergarten 10 minutes a day, for first- and second-graders 15 minutes a day and third- and fourth-graders 20 minutes a day. Parents completed a reading log, which was returned at the end of each week. Every day that a child read, they received a ticket that could put in a bag to win a prize. The school staff created 15 different prize packages with books, activities, reading chairs and blankets. The Bush School PTA also gave every child in the school a new Scholastic book at their reading level to take home as part of PARP to start them out on their reading adventure.

Jamestown Rotary members visited classrooms to read with students and many teachers planned special activities in their classrooms such as asking students to bring in their favorite book to share with their classmates. The front hallway was lined with photos of the staff reading their favorite books and the PTA donated hallway decorations. A special thanks to Rudyz Pizza who donated free pizzas and the Olive Garden who donated coupons to giveaway during PARP.

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