Big turn out for Literacy Night at Hawthorne Elementary

The Hawthorne Elementary School auditorium was buzzing with activity as they hosted the second Literacy Night for students and their families. As principal, Stephanie Keuhey welcomed everyone, the theme of “Live the Rocket Way” transcended the room with many kids proudly wearing specially designed blue shirts signifying no ODR (Office Detention Referrals) by living with respect for others.

Parents and family members packed the room as they came out in support of their students.

Teachers hosted specially designed tables which lined the outer walls, as students participated in folding paper with lettering to create a cootie-catcher, among many other unique ideas. First Grade teachers were on hand to assist kids in filling out a form entitled, “My Favorites”, while other tables were making butterflies, playing fishing games to give away small gifts, writing table top twitters, making dice games called Roll and Write a Story and many others that concentrated on reading and comprehension exercises.

As families enjoyed a hot dog dinner, an added treat to the evening was being held at some extra booths. Christina Boyles was on hand from the Mineral County Library, promoting library cards and to extend an invitation for kids and their families to come in for a tour.

Schylar Hagen and Catrinna Berginnis came with a colorful presentation of the Veggies for Kids program, along with literature about the newly developing 4-H program in Hawthorne, through the University of Reno Cooperative Extension. Healthy snack books were being handed out, along with a drawing for some fun items to be won. The entire table enhanced an emphasis on nutrition and exercise within the students.

A new Food for Life program was explained as an active 12-week lesson, within the garden area of the Hawthorne Elementary School. The cooperative extension is working with the elementary students to create a three-sisters garden of green beans, squash and corn. By helping in this program, the students are part of a selected, nine Nevada school groups, growing these items to supplement the local senior population with fresh vegetables from spring through summer, as a tie-in with a community project.

With so many popular booths, this creatively planned event brought in a crowd of eager learners and involved parents concerned with literacy and the reading opportunities for their children.