Kennewick, WA
Literacy Night at Vista Elementary
Vista reviewed, revised, and conducted a Family Literacy Night, based on requests at a Parent Focus Group. The celebration of reading was coordinated with Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America Week. Many teachers and staff dressed as their favorite book characters for the occasion. Each grade had two classrooms assigned—one for food and one for literacy games.
Many community partners assisted. The Mid-Columbia Libraries and the Mid-Columbia Reading Foundation donated 150 free books for families who attended. Parents could sign up to receive books to take home. Refreshments were sold at a discount. The PTO supported a photo booth with themed props. A local church sent volunteers to help so that teachers could meet and talk with families. At the end of the evening, the principal—dressed as the Cat in the Hat—conducted a schoolwide read aloud. Each family left with a book and literacy game to take home.
Bite2Go Backpack Food Program
Students who are hungry tend to struggle academically and behaviorally in school. All students at Vista Elementary receive free breakfasts and lunches, but some families still struggle to provide enough food at home. Vista partnered with 2nd Harvest—a regional hunger relief program—and a neighboring church. Each week, the church donated 50 bags of food purchased from 2nd Harvest (@$4 per bag) for students and families most in need.
During recess on Fridays, a volunteer from the church delivered bags of food to each classroom. Teachers placed these in selected students’ backpacks. The deliveries remain confidential. For a student to participate in the program, a parent must sign a permission slip, which is provided in English and Spanish. At first, it was a challenge to get parents to return a permission slip, but with better advertising, the program was more widely accepted by parents. New families may be added when register their children to attend the school. The Bite2Go program has a booth at the school’s annual Open House night with some sample bags of food. Volunteers talk with families about the program. Now, the 50 spots are filled and a waiting list was formed to add a new participant if a student moves, graduates from the school, or if the family decides it no longer need the donation.
This activity is featured in Promising Partnership Practices 2018.
