Riverview School to host Literacy Celebration

Ken Johnston

The Rainy River District School Board will be hosting a Family Literacy Celebration on April 29, 2006 at schools across the district.
In Rainy River teachers Jennelle and Amanda Lowes are coordinating an afternoon of learning and fun for everyone ages 4-adult.
Amanda said, “This is a kick off to Education Week and should be fun for everyone.”
The pair have booked an author, Joe McLellan of Winnipeg, to be the guest of honour. McLellan has authored a series of children’s books featuring the legends of the Ojibwa teacher and trickster Nanabosho.
The goal of the afternoon is to provide parents with strategies help their children be more literate in school.
After some oral story telling by McLellan, parents and children will break off into various workshops throughout the school to work on those strategies. After the day of fun and learning is complete every family will receive one of McLellan’s books to use when implementing the strategies at home. All the books have been purchased with a donation by the Rainy River Legion.
The Literacy Celebration will also see several community partners hosting some of the workshops or having materials on display. They include The Early Years Centre/Toy Library and Rainy River Public LIbrary.
Students and their families from Riverview, McCrosson-Tovell, Big Grassy and Big Island schools are all being encouraged to participate. Registration forms for the event will be going home with them very soon. However, anyone else in the district wanting to participate can get a registration form by contacting one of the said schools.
There will be door and attendance prizes and Chapters Book Stores will be on site to sell books to those interested.
The Rainy River event is being held the same day as the Rainy River Chamber of Commerce’s trade show and a Community Health Fair. Both Lowes ladies hope that all the events will compliment one another.
Several high school students will also be available to provide child care if needed. Three drama students from RRHS will also be acting out nursery rhymes at the event.
Organizations that would like to have a display or a booth at the school that day can also participate by contacting Jennelle at 852-3284 or Amanda at 852-3561.