Reading. It's hard sometimes to get your kids to do or love it, but at Miller, it's a priority.
Tuesday night, Miller Elementary served as the back drop for almost 100 families as students, parents and teachers explored the love of reading with PARP. The Parents As Reading Partners program has recently been reinstituted in the curriculum after an absence of several years. This was made possible only after an extensive fundraising campaign by the PTA.
Missy Vanderploeg, co-chair of the Miller School PTA, explained that the initiative to bring back PARP was spearheaded by PTA President Michelle Mazarro. The goal is “to have parents and kids read together to show the importance of reading. We encourage them to read side by side. Each child gets a journal and is required to participate five out of seven days each week for a four week period," said Vanderploeg.
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At the end of each week, if the child meets his obligations, a teacher signs the journal and the child gets a prize.
“If a child goes to the Nanuet Library and takes out a book, uses a computer or attends a library program, they can go to the children’s librarian and also get a prize.”
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Activities went on at four separate locations throughout the school. They included story telling, crafts, music and finally, cookies and milk.
It appeared that the parents were enjoying the activities as much as their children. Eric Lanks attended with his daughter Emma a first grader and son T. J. who is in kindergarten.
“This program is great," said Lanks. "This is the first time that I have come to it. The kids are enjoying themselves and having fun. I want my kids to develop a love for reading because it can take them a long way in life. It’s also wonderful to see teachers donating their time this evening.”
Outside the storytelling room, Elena Graziano, who is vice president of the PTA, was attending with her son first grader JoJo.
“It is great to read with the kids and get their interest," said Graziano. "My kids love animals so we are always getting animal books.”
In the library, RoseMarie Knapp felt that, “I am very impressed with the program where kids can interact with each other and their parents.” While participating with her son Andrew, a second grader, she added, “I want to teach my son how important reading is and that it is fun.”
Vanderploeg was attending with her daughter Maddy, who is a second grader.
“I want to see the parents get involved," she said. "I have renewed my love for reading and want my kids to love reading as much as I do.”
One of the liveliest parts of the program was in the music room. Teacher Meg DeMont entertained and interacted with students by playing her guitar and leading sing-a-longs.
