Hazelwood Elementary recently celebrated and highlighted the power and wonder of reading during Literacy Night.  This event was provided for parents and students by the teachers and staff at Hazelwood.  During this fun-filled and educational night, teachers and staff were able to talk with parents about how to help their child with reading at home.

They learned how to help their child with comprehension while reading and how “just right” books on a student’s reading level can help them become a strong reader.  Parents were also encouraged to take home many handouts that they could use with their child during nightly reading and writing.  After talking with teachers, families were able to learn about strategies and ways to read WITH and TO their child while making it an enjoyable experience.  Synergizing between home and school is an important way to help each student reach his or her fullest potential.

While parents were in the gym, students were taken on a reading adventure throughout the school.  There was Book Bingo where students could win a book, a bookmark making station, a Book Worm recipe station where students made a tasty snack, and read-alouds in the Library with a guide dog from the Haywood County Public Library.

In our lobby, parents and students found more resources to enrich their reading life.  First, there was a 7 Habits display showing many books that relate to learning about the 7 Habits and our Leader in Me program.  Also, Lisa Hartzell, Haywood County Public Librarian, was on hand so to sign up parents and students for a Haywood County Public Library card and pass out many resources the Public Library has to offer to our community.

Growing strong readers is a priority at Hazelwood Elementary.  Events like this one and our Winter Family Reading Night help achieve this goal throughout our school year.

Submitted by:  Carole Clark, Hazelwood Elementary School