The Bologna Performing Arts Center’s Arts Education Department and Pearman Elementary School are partnering to produce Family Reading Bonds, a program developed by the Mississippi Humanities Council. Family Reading Bonds is a six-week program of reading, discussion and storytelling. A discussion leader and storyteller conduct weekly sessions for families with low-literacy skills. With award-winning children’s books, the program introduces fairy tales and folk tales from around the world, stories about problems children encounter, and tales from history told for children. The award winning children’s books selected have been grouped into six different themes: fairness, courage, coping, greed, determination and dreams. Upon completing the program, the children and parents will receive a certificate and a set of gift books.
Family Reading Bonds is designed to reinforce the role of family as a major social unit, train parents and children to bond around the act of reading, teach children the joy of reading, and encourage parents to enter or continue their own educational programs. Whitney Cummins, Arts Education Coordinator at the Bologna Performing Arts Center, and Jonnie Shumpert, Pearman Elementary School Principal, have spent months preparing for this dynamic and valuable literacy program. “Family Reading Bonds combines the art of storytelling, the elements of literature, and the importance of family reading time to produce a well-rounded literacy program for parents and their children,” Cummins said. “By incorporating elements of literature and the arts, local families will strengthen their bond and develop a lasting appreciation of literary arts and family reading time.”
Family Reading Bonds will be held at Pearman Elementary School every Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., beginning on March 21 and culminating on April 25. Several students ages 6-12 enrolled at Pearman Elementary School and their parents will participate in the program. Childcare will be provided for younger children. Robert Neill will serve as storyteller and Emily Jones will serve as discussion leader for the program. David Morgan, Director of Special Programs at the Mississippi Humanities Council, will oversee the completion of the program. Nutritious snacks, community infomercials, and door prizes will be provided for all families at every session. Funding for snacks and door prizes is provided by Abraham’s Men’s Shoppe, Kroger, and Delta State University Greek Organizations.
For more information about Family Reading Bonds please contact Whitney Cummins at 662-846-4844.
