Family reading event at school draws 75 attendees

Over 75 adults and children in pre-K through fifth grade were present at the second “Unwrap the Gift of Reading” event which took place on Tuesday, December 2, at the Odessa School. The concept for starting a tradition of wrapping books up to be opened over the days prior to Christmas came from an idea the elementary teachers saw posted online last winter. The event was so popular that the staff proposed doing it again this year.

At the family night, the children, accompanied by their parents, moved from station to station. In the library, they listened to story readers: Mark Cronrath, Apryl Wraspir or Dee Deife. The children wrapped up books to unwrap at home on the days prior to Christmas. Some children wisely chose to use the opportunity to wrap up books to give to their siblings for Christmas. The gently used books came from donations from previous book sales at the school.

In the craft center, children could decorate gingerbread notebooks, design snowflake ballerinas and/or decorate ornaments. Math activities included trying a pentomino challenge, playing Bump, or making a huge hexagonal snowflake.

In a continuing educational effort to support children’s health, a healthy reindeer trail mix was served along with apple cider and hot chocolate.

Events like this are hugely successful because of the collaborative efforts on the part of all of the elementary staff members, the high-school art students and the other volunteers who graciously stepped forward. It is gratifying to know that our parents support these activities by bringing their children to them.