Family Reading Night
in Oakland City Schools Celebrate
Literacy By Tamar
Love
Oakland Public Schools have struggled
for years with lagging reading scores. In 1999, only 39% of first
graders were able to read at grade level. While the school district
has made significant progress since then, scores are still well
below national average.
Kerry Hamill, President of the Oakland School Board and
director of District 1, North Oakland, hopes to change all that.
On Thursday, May 16, 2002, almost a dozen Oakland schools
will participate in Family Reading Night in Oakland, the first of
what the school board hopes is an annual event celebrating literacy.
The night will include a wide variety of activities aimed at
sparking interest in books and literature, involving the family in
their children's literary development, and celebrating the multitude
of literary resources available in the community. Local
personalities, storytellers, poets and writers will perform for
children and their families -- free of charge.
"This is a night to celebrate literacy by reading to each
other, performing original poetry and storytelling," says Kelsey
Krausen, assistant to Kerry Hamill. "This reading night highlights
the district's focus on literacy, as a cornerstone for academic
achievement."
Participating schools include:
Oakland Tech: Poetry slam hosted by TRYUMF (Trying To
Uplift My Folks), with special guest, storyteller and poet,
Tureeda Mikell. Note: Local slam poets are invited to participate
in this poetry slam. Contact familyreadingnight@yahoo.com
to sign up.
Carter Middle School & Emerson Elementary: Special
guest reader from the Oakland Raiders.
Chabot Elementary: Read-a-thon with children's
songwriter and singer, Jane Timberlake.
Golden Gate Elementary: Storytime pajama party with
special guest, fireman Jim Whitty.
Piedmont Avenue: Storytime pajama party with special
guest, fireman Iman Usher.
Hillcrest Elementary School: Celebrating literacy with
special guests, CAL athletes.
Washington Elementary: Celebrating the oral tradition
with storytelling by journalist Peggy Stinett and the Reverend
Joseph Smith.
Kaiser Elementary: Pajama party and special guest
reader, Senator Don Perata.
Arts/Farwest: Book fair and literacy celebration,
special guest to be announced.
With the exception of the
Washington Elementary event, which will take place from 5 pm to 7
pm, all Family Reading Night events are scheduled from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Anyone interested in attending or performing at a Family
Reading Night event should email Kelsey Krausen at familyreadingnight@yahoo.com.
The Family Reading Night in
Oakland Thursday, May 16,
6 pm - 8 pm Free and open to the public familyreadingnight@yahoo.com