Dennis Township Primary School Holds Literacy Week Activities

DENNIS TOWNSHIP – Students at the Dennis Township Primary School enjoyed an action-packed, camping-themed adventure in literacy as staff, students, and families participated in a plethora of language arts related events and activities for Literacy Week.
Between the Book Fair, Reading Rumpus, the Third Grade Reading Fair, Flashlight Friday, the search for Reading Rocks, a visit from “Reading Rangers”, our Pie the Principal assembly, and so much more, students were excited and enthusiastic throughout the week!
Third grade teacher Alison Curvan explains, “We designed Literacy Week as a fun and interactive way to promote language arts skills in our youngest learners. We recognize that a strong literacy-based foundation is the cornerstone for success in all other academic areas.”
In one of the school’s most beloved traditions, students and families gathered for the 15th Annual Reading Rumpus, an event that brings district staff and families together for a night of reading and fun.
Pajama-clad students roamed classroom to classroom to hear staff members read some of their favorite books while Disney characters Moana and Elena of Avalor happily posed for photos with excited children.  The evening ended with a Minion dance party in the gym.
Kindergarten teacher and Rumpus organizer Greta Liston says, “We live in such a hectic world, so we wanted this night to provide families with an opportunity to slow down and enjoy some quality time together while listening to some wonderful stories.”
During the Pie the Principal assembly, students who achieved a set of specified goals had their names put into a drawing to get to hit the principal with a whipped cream pie.  Three lucky students were chosen – Morgan Garry, Ryan Germanio, and Alex Covarrubias – for the opportunity of a lifetime!  Once they finished giving VanArtsdalen a whipped cream facial, VanArtsdalen returned the favor to Curvan.
“This entire week involved an amazing series of literacy-themed events and activities organized and run by an amazing staff, and to top it all off, I got three pies in the face,” laughs VanArtsdalen. 
She goes on to say that she appreciates the incredible amount of time and effort the teachers, aides and other staff put into the event, and applauds the parents and other community members who not only got involved to help out but also brought their families to the school for the Reading Rumpus.  “These are the kind of special events that bring us together as a school and a community,” she says.