Children whose parents read to them at home are faster learners, studies show, which is one reason administrators and teachers at Jackson Primary School in Batavia put a strong emphasis on reading.

It's a goal of the school that no child graduates from Jackson to John Kennedy without reading at least grade level, said Principal Maureen Notaro.

"We're promoting early literacy with our "Wild About Reading " theme," Notaro said during the family reading night at the school on Thursday. "Family reading night brings families together to help kids be invigorated and show their love of reading."

Teachers and staff decorated the hallways in a contest to emphasize the "Wild About Writing" theme and Brian Sutton, Steve Hyde, and Officer Miah Stevens judged the wall art, with the winning team getting a pizza party.

This was the first event with a gathering of students and parents at the school in 2 1/2 years.

"Parents who read to their kids get them excited (about reading)," Notaro said. "Kids are so curious. So anything, anything you say or expose them to is just a wonderful experience for them. I always tell parents, any chance you get to read to your children, you know, do it.  Do it in the car, point things out, just involve literacy in everyday life."

Further reading:

• Science Daily: A 'million-word gap' for children who aren't read to at home
• NPR: Why Reading Aloud to Kids Helps Them Thrive

Top photo: Miles McCracken, 5, shows off the book he chose to purchase at Jackson School's "Wild About Reading" night on Thursday.  He said, "Reading is cool." 

Photos by Howard Owens

Officer Miah Stevens.

Superintendent Jason Smith

Teachers with their favorite books from childhood were featured in pictures in the foyer of the school.

In the age of social distancing, Woodward Memorial Library has created a "story walk" leading up to the steps of the library.

Director Betsy Halvorsen said a new story is posted on signs along the walk every Friday and new stories will be posted through Aug. 21.  

The stories are pages from picture books mounted on lawn signs and are designed to encourage children to continue with their summer reading.

Several libraries in the Nioga system are participating in the program.

As long as I was at the library on a beautiful day, I took a picture of the bust of Lemuel M. Wiles, a highly regarded artist of the 19th century who was director of the art school at Ingham University. Ingham was an all-women university in Le Roy. The bust was created in 1922 by sculpture Chester Beach.

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In addition, participants receive entry forms for a chance to win some theme-related grand prizes, including laboratory beaker mugs and gift certificates to the library’s café, kitchen science kits, and gift cards.

Other library events related to “Fizz, Boom, READ!” include a “What’s with the Weather?” talk, The Science of Bread demonstration, special movie showings, and an “Upcycle That!” Contest. More information is available at the library, by calling 343-9550, ext. 2, and at www.batavialibrary.org.

100's of books to choose from!!!!!!!

Open during regular Library hours: M-TH, 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The sale will close Saturday,  April 6 at Noon.

Hardcover- $1.00, Paperbacks and Children’s books- $.50

Bag Sale: Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. -  Noon

There will be a preview sale for our Friends of the Library members on Friday, March 29 from 5-6 p.m. Membership is $5. You may join anytime at the Library's front desk and the day of the preview sale.

Visit us online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org

or call 585.768.8300 for more information.