Putting on pajamas usually means getting ready for bed. But for some Pembroke Elementary students, it meant heading back to school.
Reading specialist Amy Paulson was thrilled with the turnout at the pajama party-themed “Literacy Night” on Feb. 28.
“It’s great to have opportunities to share literacy activities with families,” she said.
Principal Beth Bianchi said they were happy to bring back the event, which was last held in early 2020 before the pandemic.
“We are glad to get the community back into the building, and excited to promote literacy and share the enjoyment of reading,” she said.
The goal was also to provide parents helpful information and tools for reading with their children at home.
While a book fair was going on in the library, the cafeteria was abuzz with pajama-clad kids and families mingling and enjoying activities designed by the school’s literacy action team.
Each grade level hosted an activity and plenty of valuable information was shared by Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and English as a Second Language (ESL).
The school’s “Exceptional Mustangs” offered some adapted literacy activities that use communication devices and resources, and the Virginia Beach Public Library offered free library cards. The PTA gave away lots of prizes from local businesses.
Callahan Smrz and his grandmother Margie Smrz attended the event. The first grader said he liked coming to school in his pj’s. First grade teacher Hayley Whitlock helped him practice “heart words,” such as “does,” “goes” and “the.”
“These words don’t always follow the rules,” she explained.
Nearby at the second-grade table, 6-year-old Vanshika Sarode placed beads on a pipe cleaner while sounding out words, including “tree.” She wore the unique pink bracelet to the next activity.
Third grade teacher Rachel Ryan shared some comprehension strategies with parents. She provided a list of reading comprehension questions to ask, including those that begin with “Why did” and “How did.”
“Sometimes parents need to know simple questions to ask when reading with children,” she said.
Fourth-grader Gabriel Urmeneta, dressed in “Elf on the Shelf” pajamas, concentrated on coloring a bookmark as his mother and two younger brothers watched. Heather Urmeneta said she takes her children regularly to the public library.
“Reading is important for yourself, your mind, your soul,” she said.
Kayani Gray, 6, looked comfortable in her hooded pajamas as she read the book “Cat-Tastic Camera Adventure!” at the kindergarten “Stop, Drop, and Read” area on the cafeteria stage.
Her mother Keshara Carter said she’s read with Kayani since she was 2 years old.
“We are big on reading,” she said. “We try to read every chance we get.”
Carter had some advice for improving reading skills.
“Read to your children,” she said. “It works!”
I think that is a very good activity for the children of Pembroke, keep up the good work and let them have more and Special Thanks to Mrs. Leftwich for all she has contributed to these types of programs.