Family Reading Night, a free community event organized by The Missourian, was held on Friday, March 1, at Washington Middle School.
This year’s guest author/illustrator was Lisa Papp. She shared her book, “Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog,” a February Missourian Book Buzz Pick. The book can be found in most area school libraries thanks to donations to the Book Buzz Youth Literacy Project.
In celebration of the book, the theme for this year’s Family Reading Night was Pets, Love, Books! The Franklin County Humane Society was on hand to share information on responsible pet ownership.
There was a reading room for children to read to dogs and families were invited to bring essential shelter supplies to donate, including bath rugs with rubber backing, blankets and towels.
Children who attended Family Reading Night listened to stories read by community leaders and local high school students, participated in crafts based on books, and won books.
Readers representing the School District of Washington were Parents as Teachers Educators, WHS graduate Haley Woll (Miss Congeniality, Washington Town & Country Fair), WHS Cheerleaders, WMS Drama Club, Teaching Careers Cadets, WHS Boys Wrestling Team, WHS Girls Wrestling Team, WHS Football Team, Navy Junior ROTC, and Amy Brinkmann, Emerson teaching Award Recipient.
Members of the Washington Police Department performed their annual Reader’s Theater, based on the theme from the event.
This was the 19th Family Reading Night, which celebrates families reading together. The event was sponsored by The Missourian, School District of Washington and Washington Optimist Club.
Additional support is provided by the Washington Public Library, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of New Haven and Neighborhood Reads bookstore and more than 100 volunteers.
School District of Washington staff members involved on the Family Reading Night committee were Ann Loesing, Danielle Snider, Erin Gaebe, Jennifer Wirthwein, Dr. Judy Straatmann, Penny Heisel, Rachael Eggert, Valerie Jankowski, Michelle Prewitt and Robyn Busekrus.
Photos from Family Reading Night are below.
