News Item
Reading night brings families and friends together for fun and learning
September 2007
About 180 parents, teachers and
children came to the RJK Middle School cafeteria on March 5 for
the 11th Annual Family Reading Night and to celebrate Dr.
Seuss'
birthday. Celebrating a Multicultural Festival of Books, Family
Reading Night presented dances and foods of different cultures.
Donovan Genas, playing the Cat in
the Hat, and 7th grade student Linda Seminario read aloud
stories from Dr. Seuss books, while Christine Wylie, RJK
Literacy Coach, and Rose Berson led children in party games,
such as Musical Chairs and Pin the Hat on the Cat. Brenda
Petrone assisted with selling refreshments. At the end of the
evening, RJK Principal Deborah Wood, raffled 150 free books
donated by the Townsend Press of New Jersey, Barnes & Noble
Booksellers in Newburgh and Canal Towne Emporium in Wurtsboro.
The featured guest author was Monticello High School Junior
Marina Lombardi, who recently published her original paperback
edition of It's My Divorce Too!
The PTA's Scholastic Book Fair, organized by PTA president Robin
LaFountain, was set up for those who wished to purchase books.
Two beautifully decorated birthday cakes, baked by the school's
food service, were provided by the PTA. Literary Club members
May Rosario and Cindy Lopez presented Patrick Reilly a
Certificate of Appreciation for a lifetime of teaching reading.
Parent volunteers Marta Mangual and Shannon Jackson contributed
their talents and enthusiasm to the evening's events.
Family Reading Night is sponsored every year by the RJK Middle
School's Literary Club in conjunction with the school's PTA and
Scholastic Book Fair and is held at the same time as Read Across
America. Literary Club members plan all year for the event.
Barbara Hill, who organized the event, is the Literary Club
advisor.
Thanks to all who came and participated in this year's Family
Reading Night! As one parent said, "It was stupendous!"