"Celebrate Literacy Week" is recognized by schools in Florida from January 22nd to January 26th, 2024.
On Monday, students and staff at Kinnan Elementary School showed they're "Wild about Reading" by wearing animal prints.
The celebration kicked off with Principal Melissa Porco and Asst. Principal Beth Campbell during the morning announcements.
Guest readers were also invited to visit classrooms and read to students.
Mrs. Winn (kindergarten) and Mrs. Stevens' (third grade) classes listened to "The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors" by Drew Daywalt.
Meanwhile, in the media center, young readers can choose from staff book recommendations, which are marked with a bookmark of their likeness.
Ms. Liming, the school reading coach, suggests checking out "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats.
As Media Specialist Amy Gore reads "The Sour Grape" to a class, students took turns using a scanner to return and check out books from the library.
Keep up the great reading, Comets!
Meanwhile, Lakewood Ranch High School brought their Mustangs and Mini-Mustangs together to celebrate.
The high school students enjoyed reading to their (VPK) preschool-aged counterparts.
It was a fun collaboration to celebrate literacy, according to Media Specialist Audrey Dombroski.
On Wednesday, Parrish Community High JROTC members visited Mills Elementary School and read to students.
"They were fabulous!" said Media Specialist Trisha Roth. "The students, both high school and elementary, really enjoyed it."
Families gathered at Palma Sola Elementary School on Thursday evening for interactive literacy activities.
Many local businesses attended, including Bat City Comics and Asolo Theatre.
Families heard from two local authors, Ritu Anand of "Kara's Dream" and Hallie Peilet-Young of "My Disability is My Super Power".
There was food, crafts and a chance to visit the popular school book fair, making the night a great success!
On Friday, guest readers, including Joanne Hibbs and her four-legged friend, Tara, were treated to a great time at Miller Elementary School for Celebrate Literacy Week.
Music teacher Julie Hebert led an enthusiastic musical performance of "Froggy Plays in the Band." Later, Jillisa Raber's third grade class enjoyed reading about spicy tacos and ugly pie.
The Superintendent, Dr. Jason Wysong, joined other school district leadership and other community volunteers, at Palmetto Elementary School.
They read to several classes on campus and shared their love of reading wtih students.
Meanwhile, it's not just younger students having fun while celebrating literacy.
Bayshore High School students checked books out of the library to read and played the disk drop game to win treats!
Thanks to media specialist Sue Uselton for sharing.
Ballard Elementary School's media specialist, Teresa Werneke, sent us photos from their last day of Celebrate Literacy Week.
Friday's theme was "Believe in Your Shelf" and your ability to make friends.
The book read aloud was "You Will Be My Friend" by Peter Brown.
Students teamed up in pairs with another class to read to one another.
Finally, we visited Sea Breeze Elementary, which hosted guest readers including this writer, who also discussed with them how a love of English Language Arts can result in a successful career path.
A special thank you to Mr. Warren's fourth grade class for being thoughtful, kind and intelligent readers.
We learned they love books such as "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", "Baby Sitter's Club" and "I Survived" graphic novels.
hey're also getting ready to launch their first podcast, and we look forward to hearing more about their bright future.
McNeal Elementary School offered several fun activities for their students during Celebrate Literacy Week!
On Monday, Elise Montes from the Lakewood Ranch Public Library was a special guest on the morning news. She discussed the programs available at the brand-new library.
On Wednesday, guest readers visited classrooms and the VPK classes simultaneously read "The Little Butterfly That Could".
All week long, select "super reader" students were chosen to select a book from the book machine.
Finally, students used vocabulary words to create a "Totally Terrific Terms Trip", a hallway collage made from idioms and tongue twisters for all to see.
Great job, Wildcats!