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Sister Maria Goretti, O.P., Principal, and Sister Mary Clare, O.P. 4th grade teacher, with students and families listen to children's book author Jamie Long read A Possum's Pot of Gold.

Visiting author, Jamey Long, signs books for Aquinas students at the Family Reading Night.

Aquinas students and families enjoy the delicious snacks such as If You GIve a Mouse a Cookie chocolate chip cookies.

Children enjoy a game of musical chairs with music from faviorite children's books.

Sister Maria Goretti, O.P. Principal, and Event Coordinator, Mrs. Kelly Darden, present a $10.00 Borders gift certificate to a fortunate winner at the Family Reading Night.

Family Reading Night at aquinas

Aquinas Pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade students and their families enjoyed a Family Reading Night at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School on Friday, February 20, 2009.  During welcoming remarks, Event Coordinator Mrs. Kelly Darden said, “This event is an extension of Read Across Aquinas Day so families can be involved.” 

Sponsored by the Aquinas PTO, “A Winter’s Tale” Family Reading Night included a book reading and signing by children’s book author Jamey Long.  Students and families enjoyed hearing the tale and adventures of Opie the Opossum in Jamie Long’s A Possum’s Pot of Gold. 

Mr. Long’s books convey the true meaning of holidays and historic events with a moral lesson woven into each story.  “I wanted to put the real meanings back into holidays and history.  Children need to learn and it’s important,” said Mr. Long.  All of his books have special dedications, but one in particular, A Possum’s Gold Rush and His Discovery of the American Frontier, is quite special to Mr. Long.  This book was dedicated to his Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Miller, at Black Bob Elementary School in Olathe, Kansas, who died of cancer.  Mr. Long said, “She taught me so much.  None of these books would have been written without her.”   

The Family Reading Night included a Book Walk, book swap and reading nook, word games and puzzles, jump rope for poetry, crafts, bingo, and snacks with creative, literary themes such as “Curious George Muffins, Harry Potter’s Magic Wands, The Snowy Day Popcorn, It’s a Great Pumpkin Muffins, and delicious hot chocolate for a chilly Friday evening.  Three fortunate students also won $10 Borders gift certificates during a special drawing.   

In anticipation of Read Across Aquinas Day on March 17th, children wrote the titles of their favorite books on a long STARS mural which is displayed in the school hallway.  The Family Reading Night kicked-off a Read-a-thon which will end on March 16.  Read-a-thon winners will be announced on Read Across Aquinas Day.    

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