Highland Park, October 1, 2025
News Summary
Montessori Elementary held a family literacy night to promote reading among students and families. The event featured local author readings, writing showcases, and free library passes. Assistant Principal Nova Holeva emphasized the importance of family engagement in literacy, while the school’s commitment to ongoing literacy initiatives, like the Literacy First program, aims to support early education. Families actively participated in various literacy activities, strengthening the connection between home and school.
Highland Park – Montessori Elementary recently hosted a family literacy night designed to instill a love of reading among its students. The event saw significant participation from families, educators, and community members, emphasizing the importance of literacy in early education.
During the literacy night, the local library provided free library passes, along with bus passes, to facilitate access for families who want to utilize library resources. Participating families had the opportunity to engage in various literacy activities, including a reading session by local author Amanda Parker, who shared her book titled “Pap Pap Goes to Paris.” This engaging segment aimed to inspire students and families alike to explore the joys of reading.
Assistant Principal Nova Holeva noted the critical importance of engaging families in literacy activities, highlighting that such events not only promote reading but also strengthen the home-school connection. Numerous parents, including Christi Jackson, attended to learn more about their children’s classroom activities and literacy progress, showcasing the strong support from Montessori Elementary’s parent community.
The night’s activities included opportunities for students to showcase their writings, allowing them to express their creativity. Additionally, students were encouraged to create bookmarks, fostering not only their artistic skills but also enthusiasm around books and reading. Principal Parker reiterated the school’s commitment to making literacy a core focus of their educational approach.
Strengthening community engagement through events like these aims to spark excitement around literacy among students and families. Montessori Elementary is well-known for its warm and welcoming environment that enhances students’ curiosity and independence. Active participation from parents is a hallmark of the school’s culture, encouraging collaboration between teachers and families to support student learning.
The family literacy night coincides with broader efforts in Hamilton County to improve literacy rates among young students. Hamilton County schools have recently expanded a one-on-one literacy tutoring program benefiting kindergarten and first-grade students. The Literacy First program is designed to prevent literacy gaps by providing daily tutoring tailored to individual needs. The expansion of this program now includes 14 public elementary schools in Hamilton County, including Montessori Elementary for the first time.
In the previous school year, 546 students participated in this tutoring initiative, with 250 students graduating from the program based on their progress. The Literacy First program implements data-driven methods to assess reading abilities, focusing on essential skills such as phonics and oral reading fluency. Collaborations with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and AmeriCorps are enhancing tutoring efforts, ensuring a stronger pipeline for future educators in the region.
Through the combination of community events at Montessori Elementary and ongoing literacy support from Hamilton County schools, the united goal is to foster a love of reading that will benefit students throughout their educational journey and beyond.
FAQ
What was the purpose of the family literacy night at Montessori Elementary?
The event aimed at instilling a love of reading in students and engaging families in literacy activities.
What activities were featured during the literacy night?
The event included the local library providing free library passes, a reading by local author Amanda Parker, opportunities for students to showcase their writings, and creating bookmarks.
How does Montessori Elementary support literacy beyond family events?
The school is involved in the Literacy First program that aims to prevent literacy gaps through daily tutoring for kindergarten and first-grade students.
What is the significance of the Literacy First program?
This program has shown significant improvement in students’ literacy skills and has expanded to include 14 public elementary schools in Hamilton County, including Montessori Elementary.
Key Features of Montessori Elementary’s Literacy Efforts
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Family Literacy Night | Event promoting love of reading among students with family engagement. |
| Local Library Involvement | Free library and bus passes provided to families. |
| Community Author Interaction | Local author read to students to inspire reading. |
| Student Showcase | Students displayed their writings and created bookmarks. |
| Ongoing Literacy Programs | Literacy First program providing daily tutoring to young students. |
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Additional Resources
- WDEF: Montessori Elementary Family Literacy Night
- Times Free Press: Literacy Tutoring Program in Hamilton County
- Chattanoogan: Literacy Program Expands in Chattanooga
- Times Free Press: Hamilton County Public School Students Outperform
- Wikipedia: Literacy
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