Family Literacy Night Puts Free Books In The Hands Of Children

"Reading is 'fun'damental!"

This was the message educators and community members hoped to get across Wednesday evening during family Literacy Night at . Students participated in a bingo style game, traveling through eight different stations that encouraged them get involved in discussions with their peers about reading, explore their literature likes and dislikes and most of all increase their interest in reading through a series of cleverly constructed activities and games.

Students made their way through the stations, each one focusing on literacy in different formats, with the exception of one station which focused strictly on eating  pizza. 

Students were engaged in literacy stations such as a cozy little reading nook which was hosted by Erica Jacobson, a fun and crafty bookmark station hosted by the schools Art instructors, as well as a very cool writing cafe hosted by Lisa Tenreiro.

Among the stations was the  Books Are Wings info booth which provided program literature along with a massive supply of free books for all attendees in reading levels sure to please readers aged 1 to 100. Books Are Wings is a nonprofit organization which is supported by the generosity of many individuals and groups who have donated new and gently used books.

One of the big crowd pleasers was the Civil War Station hosted by teacher Gerry Burgess. At this station students had the opportunity to learn what life was like in the period of 1861-1865. Students could try on civil war era clothing, play with period toys and read literature on the era as well as the books children had access to during that time period.

"I love this," said 8th grade student Jessie Oliveira who was dressed as a Civil War soldier. "I wish I could keep this costume on all night."

In preperation for the literacy event, WMS reading specialists held a week long book drive, rewarding the top collecting classrooms in each grade level with an ice cream party. In total, the students at WMS collected over 1,000 books. Collection bins for the Books Are Wings program can be found  at various libraries throughout Rhode Island.

As part of the evening's events, Poetry Contest winners were on hand to present their winning works. The poetry contest, sponsored by 21st Century Community Learning Center at Woonsocket Middle School/, was open to all three grades at both schools. Winners in the 6th grade  division were: 1st place, Alyssa-Valerie Fields, 2nd place, Roseurys Almonte, and 3rd place, Roseurys Almonte. In the 7th grade division the winners were: 1st place, Lisa Darling, 2nd place, Pricilla Omoniyi, and 3rd place Lavasia Robinson. Placing 1st in the 8th grade division was April Cheevers, with Kerro Coveney in 2nd place, and Justyn Lopez in 3rd place.

As the event came to an end, students who completed a bingo card were treated to a raffle. Prizes for the raffle included games, gift certificates to local restaurants, grocery gift cards, and many other generous donations. Event sponsors included: Dunkin Donuts, Family Resources, Staples, New China Super Buffet, Dots, Mr. Presley, Asia Grill, Wright's Dairy Farm, Shaws and Little Cesar's Pizza.