Harrison Hills literacy night draws packed crowd

It was nothing less than a packed gymnasium March 5 as the Harrison Hills City School District held a Literacy Night for the elementary school students. The junior high gymnasium draw a favorable crowd, and classrooms and hallways overflowed with interested participants. Inside the Performing Arts Center, the displays offered a visually appealing experience.

“This is a great event,” said District Principal Ken Parker. “The district is proud to be able to hold and promote Literacy Night as an important part of education and as a socially fulfilling project. Today all of the kids are having fun and enjoying the opportunity to show their parents around the different booths, classrooms and the Performing Arts Center.

“I want to thank Kate Sedgmer, our technology people and all of the staff that have made this event the success that it has become.”

Of the many booths on hand, it was surprising, but welcomed, to see students being drawn to the books that were made available. Many of the individuals managing the booths commented on the success of and interest in the fair.

“I was an English teacher by trade before I got involved with The Grit Project Team,” said Lisa Duvall. “This is such a great event that the school is putting on. I have been here for every occasion that this fair has taken place. I love watching the kids and their parents interact and pointing out what booth they want to visit next. Above all, I enjoy handing out the books to the kids. I tell all of them to read the books, then pass it on to someone else.”

“It is wonderful to see the kids as they lead their parents to the different booths,” said Vicky Foltz of The Jefferson County Educational Service Center. “It is good to be here as a resource for the event. This is a way for parents to see what their child’s interests are each time the fair takes place.”

Vendors present at the event included Alliance of Therapy Dogs & Therapy Dogs International, Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Farm Bureau, Future Plans — The Grit Project, Harrison County Board of Developmental Disabilities Early Intervention Program, Harrison County Family and Children First Council, Harrison County Health Department, Harrison Soil and Water Conservation District, HC Theatre, Interstate Waste Services, JCESC OhioRISE, NAMI Greater Wheeling, Puskarich Library, Therapy Dogs, Woodsfield Savings Bank and WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital.

“We had more than 325 students attend, and it was so fun to see families traveling around the building together and celebrating reading,” said HHCSD Communications and Marketing Director Katie Sedgmer. “Events like this really show how much our community supports our students. We’re incredibly grateful to our teachers for putting the night together and to our community partners who attended.”