Caulfeild Elementary–Family Literacy Night 2008
Caulfeild Elementary–Family Literacy Night 2008
Originally uploaded by Jane Ray’s Wildlife Rescue Series
Wow.
Caulfeild Elementary is a school that reads!
I arrived at Caulfeild on a blustery, snowy January night to find myself in a cosy, vault-ceilinged library filled to brimming with books about animals! Librarian Louise Biggar and her parent and student helpers had pulled every animal-related book from the shelves and displayed them around the room, alongside artwork and origami depicting animal migration and other animal-related themes. I felt the warm welcome even before any of the students arrived!
And when they did arrive, they showed up in droves! This is a community that really supports reading and literacy. Because it was an evening event, students arrived in their pajamas, robes and slippers, and many were carrying their favourite stuffed animal — in keeping with the night’s theme. Parents came, too, many also in pajamas. It was a cosy event from start to finish.
Mrs. Biggar and her parent helper extraordinaire, Mrs. Strang, devised an ice-breaker game consisting of a sheet covered in squares, and in each square was an activity to do with animals. Every student had to find someone in the room who had done that activity, and then write their name in the square. I was surprised to discover that I was not the only person in the room who had ridden an elephant! In fact, about 8 people raised their hands, and one parent even told me later that she had ridden elephants professionally with Ringling Bros. Circus in the United States!
Once students had completed the game, Principal Lund introduced me, and my presentation got underway. I told listeners the story of Mouse, and of how I became a writer. I showed a series of slides of animal photos — wild animals that had been patients at the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC (photos by Devin Manky); a series of shots taken at Grouse Mountain during the activities of the Hummingbird Monitoring Network; and a few of my very own Frances, Sadie and Mousie.
I read from Flight or Fight, and told listeners about Crow Medicine as well as a little about Gaia Wild (coming this fall). Many guests bought books to take home and read; we even sold out of Flight or Fight!
I was so impressed by all the support for reading at this school, and by all the help Mrs. Biggar received from students and parents alike. I felt very welcome, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening!
Thank you, Caulfeild! Until we meet again …