Middle schools celebrate reading with family literacy nights

Sarasota County middle schools will celebrate the love of reading with family literacy nights. The events are part of the Starbooks reading program, now in its second year.

The program will promote and improve literacy among children of all ages and will encourage reading for enjoyment through the involvement of peers, parents, teachers, media specialists and literacy coaches.

As part of the program, middle-school students throughout the county have read young-adult fiction, including books by Gordon Korman, Jordan Sonnenblick and Roland Smith, who have visited local middle schools to talk about their writing.

The Starbooks program also includes components such as teacher training and reading corners in school media centers. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has made a $267,150 grant toward the program.

Scheduled family literacy nights and related events include:

5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at McIntosh Middle School, 701 McIntosh Road —
The evening will celebrate the literacy achievements of McIntosh students, including
theater presentations, displays of student work and read-aloud activities. Hot dogs and drinks will be served, the McIntosh Middle School band and chorus will entertain diners, the Scholastic book fair will be open and second-quarter report cards will be distributed. Stoney, mascot of the Charlotte Stone Crabs, will be on-hand to help the school kick-off the Charlotte Stone Crabs and MMS Reading Club.

6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Sarasota Middle School, 4826 Ashton Road —
Families are invited to share in food, music, door prizes and literacy-based activities.

6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Booker Middle School, 2250 Myrtle St. —
Students and their families are invited to explore reading and a variety of activities. The night will feature food, interactive family fun, performances by the school’s Visual and Performing Arts Team, reading sessions and tips for parents.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].