Reading Hoe Down hosted at Inman Primary School

Third graders’ teachers at Inman Primary and the Altrusa Club “rounded up” 85 third graders at Inman Primary School to provide a fun-filled overnight “Reading Hoe Down” Friday, March 30.  

Armed with their sleeping bags, pillows, stuffed animals, flashlights and books, the Red Oak third graders returned to school Friday for a night filled  with games, celebrity readers and an overnight slumber party to celebrate reading.

The night began with a welcoming ceremony by the Altrusa ladies in the gymnasium, followed by a pizza dinner provided by the Altrusa club.

The students were then divided into groups and participated in games and listened to celebrity readers. The celebrity readers from Red Oak for the evening were Ron Godbout, Kathy Davis, Kara     Sherman and Dave Jennings.

After hosting an evening of fun with 85 energetic third graders, the Altrusa members headed for home ... but the fun continued.

Principal Gayle Allensworth and teachers Jen Bruce, Tracy Vannausdle, Brandy Pease and Kelly Jones continued the fun with the students snuggled into their sleeping bags for 30 minutes of “flashlight reading,” followed by a late night movie. The students were then encouraged to “count sheep” as most of them drifted off to sleep.

At 6:45 a.m., the “rooster crowed” and the children were once again greeted by the ladies of Altrusa with a light breakfast before they were released to their parents.

Sarah Crisp, former teacher and Altrusa member, was the organizer of this wonderful event.

“The goal of this night was to encourage reading habits and to allow kids to celebrate the joy of reading,” Crisp said.

“Hats off” to the ladies of Altrusa and  to Inman Primary for providing a wonderful and memorable event for the third grade students of Red Oak.

Submitted by Jen Bruce, Inman Primary Third Grade Teacher.