HAMMONDSVILLE -- Stanton and John Gregg Elementary schools are promoting reading, with each planning a literacy night. Stanton will hold a Halloween-themed activity entitled "Monster Mash," from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. John Gregg will host an ocean-based event called "Escape from the School," from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Stanton Principal Kodi Peterson stated reading specialist Emily Henry is organizer of the event, which will feature games, food and more. Students can wear Halloween costumes and enjoy an evening with family.
"The students will be doing activities based on their grade level," Peterson said. "The Stanton PTO will have a trunk-or-treat in the lower parking lot and there will be a bounce house donated by Screwy Louie's. They will complete a checklist of literacy activities and can enter to win a prize in a gift basket drawing." Stations will be set up throughout the lobby and gym. Henry said activities will be offered to those in grades preschool through sixth, including an alphabet matching of lower-case and upper-case letters, a short-vowel word hunt, Halloween costume inferencing and creating their own board game based on a story they have read.
"Our project for literacy night is for students to design their own monster using a cereal box or other materials," she said. "We are calling it a 'Monster Mash Parade' because we line the area outside the auditorium and gym with the projects. We will be awarding first, second and third place in each grade level, with the top winner of each receiving a gold coin to use in the book machine. I have been posting monster stories on the Stanton Facebook page as a way to engage families to listen to stories together and create a monster." Students will perform line and square dancing in the auditorium. Hot dogs and water will be available in the cafeteria. Peterson says he anticipates a large turnout.
"Last year was the biggest year we had and I expect more this year," he commented. "I'm not surprised if there are 200 to 300 people who will be here."
John Gregg will engage students in preschool through third grade and their families, in a fun escape room game. Title I teacher Angela Smith is the event's organizer. The evening will involve a wide range of activities with a theme of under the sea.
"Each classroom will have five challenges set up with puzzles and riddles based on early reading foundational skills," Smith explained. "The gym will have crafts and there will be food and prize baskets. Each family that escapes from a room has a chance to win prizes in addition to door prizes." The baskets to be won contain books, literacy games, arts and craft materials. The event has attracted a large crowd in years past and she expects this year to be no different.
"In the past, we've had almost 300 people, so it's a pretty big draw in the fall," she commented. John Gregg's PTO will host its Scholastic Book Fair in order for students and their families to purchase books and merchandise with one another.
There will be a photo booth set up to commemorate the occasion. Smith said the school's literacy planning committee is made up of administrators, faculty and school staff who have helped to organize the event.