MES Hosts ‘Chill Out With a Cool Book’ Reading Night

McKENZIE (January 10) — Monday, McKenzie Elementary staff held a family reading night in the elementary school library from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

During family reading nights, held thirteen times every school year, students bring their parents to the McKenzie Elementary School Library, sign in, and have their choice of their favorite reading nook (from desks, to bathtubs, to bean bags and more).

Some children read several books during reading nights, taking Accelerated Reader tests on them all. This challenges the students while also awarding them with more “AR” points. At the end of the school year, students and classrooms with the highest “AR” points receive prizes and acknowledgment.

Librarian Jill Wilson said her primary goal with reading nights is to promote family involvement and increase students’ love for reading.

Sometimes, the school organizes specialty reading nights to further promote family and student involvement. This school year, the school accepted community volunteers during Disney Princess and Christmas themed nights. These nights, students could interact with “surprise guests:” volunteers dressed as Disney princesses, Santa Claus, and Santa’s elves.

Jill Wilson said she has several more specialty nights planned for the school year’s remaining reading nights.