North Stormont Public School, Oxford-on-Rideau Public School, and Beckwith Public School were some of the Upper Canada District School Board schools who organized activities on Friday, January 25, surrounding the 20th anniversary of Family Literacy Day.
Family Literacy Day was an initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 and is held annually on January 27 to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.
North Stormont Public School staff and students were invited to wear their favourite pair of pajamas to school on Friday. In the morning, Principal Joe Harty challenged each class to choose their favourite book for him to read to the whole school. In the afternoon, Principal Harty read the four books and then encouraged older students to read to younger students in an activity called “reading buddies.”
Students at Oxford-on-Rideau Public School enjoyed a Skype presentation by author Elizabeth MacLeod on her book “Meet Viola Desmond.” They also watched a video of astronaut Scott Kelly reading the book Mousestronaut, heard stories read by their teachers, and made crafts related to the books they enjoyed.
Beckwith Public School students paired up with their reading buddies and worked on traditional and digital literacy.
“When we engage in literacy activities as a family, we not only improve children’s literacy skills, but we strengthen the family relationship.” Explained Jen McMaster, Principal of Teaching and Learning, “I would encourage families to take time out of each day to read together.”
