Freeport rolls out the red carpet for reading at #freeportreads Family Literacy Night

Posted on 05/28/2024

Freeport Public Schools rolled out the red carpet for the annual #freeportreads Family Literacy Night on May 23. Highlighting books that became movies, the Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School was transformed into a wonderland of words with each classroom, gymnasium and the school cafeteria highlighting activities based on the event’s theme – Red Carpet Reads.

“Literacy is the foundation upon which all education is built," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham said. "Strong reading and writing skills aren't just about enjoying stories. Literacy skills equip students with the ability to comprehend complex concepts, think critically, solve problems and express themselves creatively. Our annual Family Literacy Night is one of the many fantastic ways our district and educators work to ignite a passion for reading so our students become lifelong learners across all subjects."

Eager to take part in the plethora of literary activities, hundreds of students and their families filled the school. As they stepped through the doors, they were invited to Wonka’s Factory inspired by Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and brought to life with the help of Morrison Mentors.

Students met Willy Wonka himself; portrayed by New Visions Elementary School’s Assistant Principal Christopher Lomot, created vibrantly colored slime, 3D printed their own chocolate bars and took a virtual reality tour through a chocolate factory.

“Family Literacy Night is the perfect kickoff to our summer reading initiative,” Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Glori Engel said. “We provide our families with the resources to encourage an interest in reading throughout the summer months so our students can maintain and build upon their reading skills.”

In the director’s den, students’ families reenacted iconic movie scenes from books including the “Wizard of Oz” and “The Polar Express,” while others put their book and movie trivia knowledge to the test in a Jeopardy-style contes.

As guests stepped into the small gym, they were greeted by a giant earth balloon inspired by “The Lorax” teaching lessons and reminding those of the importance of taking care of the planet.

Traveling down Blockbuster Boulevard turned students into detectives with a decoding activity based on "Harriet the Spy." In another classroom, students were assigned dragon specific character traits based on "How to Train Your Dragon" and then had to determine if it would be easily trained or rebel.

“This year’s Family Literacy Theme of ‘Red Carpet Reads’ allowed us to showcase how books can spark creativity in someone. How books that were so inspiring were transformed into blockbuster movie hits,” Director of English language arts Mary LaMotta said. “Our goal is to help our students foster a love of reading, but also ensure that they know how literacy skills go far beyond reading a book and into other subject areas.”

In the STEAM Zone, families worked on their math skills participating in
"Roll Out the Red Carpet" family math games and movie math puzzles proving that literacy can impact all areas of learning.

As families made their way to each section, they were invited to the gymnasium for a free book giveaway filled with stories for readers of all levels to take home and build their at-home libraries.

Holding their projects, books and other literary treasures, families exited the building with smiles on their faces and stories to tell as the curtain closed on another #freeportreads Family Literacy Night.