[LM_NET] HIT: HS Family Reading Nights

["Walker, Cynthia Jackle" <CJW0505@ECU.EDU>]

Thanks to all who replied to my question about hosting a Family Reading Night as 
the HS level.  It was my first posting to the listserv and I truly appreciate all 
the feedback.
 
Here are some responses I recieved:
 

Ø  What if you did a mother/daughter reading night, or father/son, or 
father/daughter, mother/son?  Maybe a theme like that would get kids to show up 
with their parents.

 

Ø  I doubt if a family reading night will work.  Students are more concerned with 
sports, jobs, friends, etc. than reading. It would never work at my high school.

 

Ø  Could you get the PTA involved somehow? That might increase the participation.

 

Ø  Maybe...with a theme? A Harry Potter night or a books made into movies night?

 

Ø  Last year we tried two events in the evenings for parents.  We hosted a Data & 
Dessert night in October, and we shared the online resources available for 
students/parents to use at home.  We had desserts - of course! - and only a handful 
of parents attended.  In April, we hosted a reading event to promote summer 
reading.  The Intensive Reading teachers gave extra credit if their parents 
attended.  Again, low parental attendance but high teacher attendance.  

 

What did we learn?  Try to connect your event to another activity held at school.  
A book fair on the night of the graphics art show or band concert.  A summer 
reading push connected to a end of the year recognition for volunteers.  Our 
district is wide spread with the majority of our students on the free and reduced 
lunch program.  Only 43 parents from a student body of 1750 responded to our 
administration's end of the year survey.  So.... how do we get them involved at the 
secondary level?  Door prizes, a bingo night with books and cool prizes, a 
parent-student book club, or any kind of "reward" that might draw in a few more.   
A nearby high school with a parent population that includes more professionals has 
a greater parent involvement than we do, but they are simply more actively involved 
in their children's education.  

 

We've advertised our events well... local education channel, school newsletter, 
fliers to students, school website, school TV show, teachers promoting to students, 
and still the response was low.  We concluded that we need to involve students more 
at the school level through incentives and reading programs such as SRC.  We're 
targeting students because our energy is not limitless!  

 

*All that to say this.... if you have a passion to offer a Family Reading Night, do 
it!  Blessings and get back to me to let me know how it goes.

 

Ø  Kids might show in groups, kids and parents very few.  We had a Family research 
night hosted by the each HS with the feeder middle and elementary schools invited.  
Mostly it was middle and elementary kids and parents. I think I had 3 kids with 
parents ( all in one family) show up.  They are too busy, too embarrassed, too 
whatever!

 

Ø  I've never actually tried to host a Family Reading Night but I have my
doubts if it will work - not from lack of interest but because of lack
of time.  Most high school students are extremely busy with after school
jobs and extra curriculars.  They really find it hard to schedule
anything extra during the week.  You may get some Freshmen - they
usually aren't as busy.

 

Cindy Walker

MLS Candidate

Currituck, NC





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