PJ Party To Promote Literacy

For one night, Liberty Middle School was transformed into a campground.

With no campfires or wild animals around, the only things rustling were the pages of books being read in the district’s newest school.

It was Liberty Middle School's fifth annual Pajama Party held from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 11.

Designed to promote literacy, the theme of the event was “Read S’More Books” and dozens of children in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade were exposed to different ways to enjoy reading.

“It’s a great way to encourage young people to read,” 
Solimo said. “It’s so important to nurture and promote reading and our pajama party is one way we are trying to do that. But everyone needs to remember, reading is a year-round event.”

The program is run by Maryann Solimo, a reading teacher at the school, and Fran McEldowney, who served as the school’s library media specialist before retiring two years ago.

The young readers spent time at one of three stations during the two-hour event.

At one area, eighth grade students from Liberty read a book to small groups ofchildren, and then presented the children with a project that went along with the theme of the book, which was selected based on the grade-level of the visiting children.

At a second station, the youngsters were given the opportunity to select one free book to take home based on their respective reading levels. As the children picked the books, they enjoyed snacks and various treats in the cafeteria.

The third and final station featured a book reading and illustrations by Roosevelt Middle School teacher Jay Wecht. Wecht read “The Gift of Nothing” by Patrick McDonnell and then drew various popular cartoon characters including Popeye, SpongeBob Squarepants and
Snoopy.

The participants were also greeted by several songs from Hanover Park High School students Dante Pasquale, Mikey Miller and Mike Rocco and Montville High School student Salena Wilson.