Theresa Dardanell

Parents traded places with students at Emmitsburg Elementary School during Literacy Night on October 13, 2016. While students listened to a story and worked on crafts, parents were in the classrooms learning how to help their children succeed.

As families arrived, they were greeted by Principal Mary Ann Wiles and the Emmitsburg Elementary staff. The families enjoyed a pizza dinner provided by the school and Pizza Leone in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. Wiles welcomed the parents and encouraged them to partner with the staff by reading with their children every night. Literacy Specialist Kyra Fry showed where to find additional resources online through the fcps.org website.

Parents were invited to move to the classrooms for staff presentations on whole group and small group reading, word study, and reading intervention. Teacher Sara Bugler showed the “Raise a Reader” bags, which contain books and magazines that will be used by all the Pre-K students at home.

Information about Axis 360 was presented by Barbara Barnette from the Emmitsburg Public Library. Dr. Susan Tassin, school psychologist, gave parents helpful memory strategies to use with their children. While the parents were learning, the students listened to the story, Possum’s Harvest Moon, read by teacher, Bonnie Hopkins. After hearing the tale, they had fun creating their own possum in the art room.

Peggy Davis, mother of fifth grade student Peyton, attended with her daughter. Davis stated that she wants to stay informed about what the school is teaching so that she can help her daughter at home.

Emmitsburg Elementary will be hosting a math night in November, as well as a STEM night in March 2017. Sign up for the FCPS service, Find Out First, to stay informed about upcoming events.