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Osage Cemetery Association schedules March 11 meeting
TORONTO -- The Osage Cemetery Association will hold an informational meeting on March 11 at 1 p.m. at the Osage Church, township Road 242, Toronto.
Those with family members or loved ones who have been laid to rest at the cemetery, owners of burial plots or those interested in helping to preserve the future of the cemetery and church are welcome to attend to discuss the improvements of both the cemetery and the church.
Face masks are required for the safety of everyone in attendance.
For information, contact Mike Swickard, association president, at (740) 632-2697.
Media club visiting schools for Read Across America today
MINGO JUNCTION -- The Indian Creek Middle School Media Club will be back in local elementary schools today to spread a love of books for Read Across America Day.
Ten eighth-graders will visit Hills and Wintersville Elementary Schools in the Indian Creek Local School District as well as the School of Bright Promise in Steubenville to share timeless classics by Dr. Seuss in honor of the famed author's birthday.
Michele Fabbro, media club adviser, said events will be altered with safety protocols in light of COVID-19 but youngsters will enjoy appearances by The Cat and friends Thing 1 and Thing 2.
"We will go to the schools in the morning and hope to visit all of the classrooms," Fabbro said. "We will do it this year with social distancing and masks, and the kids will read while The Cat will be there to entertain."
Bookmarks and other gifts will be given to students to highlight the day, which has been sponsored by the National Education Association for more than two decades. Fabbro first learned of the event while attending an NEA function in 1998 and incorporated it in her club's activities ever since.
According to the NEA website, Read Across America is the nation's largest celebration of reading. This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone.
Hills promotes literacy for Read Across America
MINGO JUNCTION -- Hills Elementary is combining fun and literacy during Read Across America Week, which is under way through Friday.
Students in the building will don themed clothing and enjoy stories from Dr. Seuss to mark the week. Activities are led by second-grade teacher Sarah Hibbits, who hosted similar events while teaching at Wintersville Elementary School. Hibbits said it was a fun way to inspire children to pick up a book and read.
Students were to take part in a dress-up day with "Cat in the Hat" on Monday; "Fox in Socks" today; "Wacky Wednesday" featuring crazy hair mid-week; "Green Eggs and Ham" on Thursday; and "Sleep Book" Day with pajamas on Friday. Each day, participating students will receive a Dr. Seuss scratch-off card and win themed prizes, plus they will have some reading time to boost their skills.
"The whole purpose is to get kids interested in reading. So many children say they don't like to read. In my opinion, they haven't found the right book for them," Hibbits added. "We can open their eyes to so many genres and authors, so we can find something to get them interested in reading."
The activity also lifts spirits amid the ongoing pandemic and provides a fun learning tool, according to Hibbits.
"We work really hard all year round, and this gives kids something to look forward to," she said. "Reading is something I've always been a proponent of. I always read in class, and by listening students can pick up language patterns and inflections when I speak."
She noted that 85-90 percent of brain growth occurs within the first five years of a child's life, making reading a priority to improve cognitive development, reasoning, intelligence and memory. Even reading at home for 20 minutes a day could make a significant impact in developing listening and vocabulary skills and children learn more than 1.8 million more words per year.
"With early intervention, this benefits children for years to come," Hibbits commented.
Although the activity is primarily for students attending in person, remote pupils also are encouraged to join the fun. More information will be posted on the Hills Elementary Facebook page.
Read Across America Week also includes the Scholastic Book Fair, which is being held virtually because of COVID-19. Library Media Specialist Judy Johnson is organizing the effort and said books may be purchased online through March 14 while an informational flier will be sent home with students and available on the school's Facebook page.
"Everything is going to be virtual," Johnson said. "It has a website, and books can be purchased online with eWallet. Parents can place the amount their child can spend."
Go online to https://bookfairsfiles.scholastic.com/flippingbooks/S21-Virtual-Booklist/S21-Virtual-Booklist.html#p=1 for the flyer and purchase at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/hillselementaryschool.
Pysanky egg decorating class offered March 20
STEUBENVILLE -- A morning of traditional Pysanky egg decorating is being offered March 20 at Leonardo's Coffeehouse, located at 159 N. Fourth St., Steubenville.
The class will begin at 9 a.m., and participants are advised to set aside two to four hours as the eggs can take a while to create.
It is open to those 15 and above. Cost to participate is $10, which covers supplies. All eggs and supplies will be provided with a few kits available for purchase for $20. All payments will be accepted on the day of the class, but registration ahead of time is requested as there is a limit on space and available kits. For information, call (740) 632-8909 or e-mail Therese@nelsongifts.com.
A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method. The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, "to write" or "to inscribe," as the designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax, according to promotional information.