A large crowd attended Clearview Elementary School’s second annual Family Reading Night last week, an event that was started to help families spend time learning and playing fun reading games together.

 

The evening was again led by retired District 742 teacher Mary Dank. After attendees enjoyed pizza, she began the activities by narrating the book Big Chickens, while Clearview staff Profesora Tammy, Mrs. Tschida, Mrs. Coulter and Mrs.

 

Kimmerly acted out the parts of the chickens, to the delight of audience members.

 

Dank led attendees in dancing like chickens, after which she explained how to play the reading game she created that was passed out to each family.

 

The Hoyt family attended the evening for the second year, with parents Tom and Rose bringing their children Luann, Allan, Veronica and Gregory.

 

“It’s a nice family time,” said Tom Hoyt. “We came to help the little ones with their reading, and it’s nice to get new activities to make it more exciting and fun for them.”

 

Kayla V. said she and her children, Ivette and Devenn, enjoy meeting new members of the community at Clearview’s events.

 

“We get together as a family and it brings the community together,” she said. “We come to all Clearview’s family events. This school is just amazing.”

 

“My dad gets to play with me!” said Isabelle L. when asked why she wanted to come to Family Reading Night.

 

Her dad, Aaron, said he brought her and her brother, Noah, to have fun and play with their friends.

 

“I’m an English teacher at Tech High School,” said Jodee B., who brought her son, Vaughn. “Anything to support reading is fabulous. I think kids see parents be part of it and it encourages them more.”

 

After playing a few rounds of the game, Dank led the group in a song called A Little Bit More Reading, which was sung to the tune of I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.

 

“One of the best things you can do as a parent is help your children become lifelong readers,” she said.

 

Attendees were able to keep the reading game so they could continue playing with their children at home, and were given directions for two more versions of the game. Family Reading Night was sponsored by the Clearview PTA, Clearview student council and Clearview.