Students may still be learning from a distance, but the staff at Lebanon Elementary School is looking to spread a little in-person holiday joy this Monday, December 14 from 5:00-7:00 pm at their drive-thru Winter Wonderland Family Literacy Night.
“We’re going to have lights and everything decorated, and we’re going to have inflatables,” LES Principal Benji Mattingly said. “But we’re also going to have our teachers in different grade levels in different stations. They’re going to be handing out hot cocoa packets or different characters that are connected to books.”
Students will also receive a link to watch a video of a book being read by a teacher as well as a link to a video showing how to put together the craft they receive, Mattingly said.
Parents are asked to enter through the typical student drop-off line; however, instead of exiting campus they will turn left and travel in front of the school where the LES staff will be set up.
For Mattingly, the event is an important way for the school to continue to build relationships with its families and students.
“We wanted to do this so we could reach out to all of our parents and family members and show them how much we care and we appreciate them, and how much we love them during these times,” Mattingly said. “And we also want to just say, ‘Thank you’ to them for all of their patience, their understanding, and helping out with guiding their children and helping teach them at home.”
And, of course, the event is meant to underscore the value of education and literacy.
“We want everyone to understand the importance of a good education, and that education is not just taught at the school,” he said. “Education is all around you -- it’s in your home, it’s in your community.”
He also sees the event as an opportunity to emphasize something positive during an especially difficult time for many.
“There are negative things in our world nowadays, but we don’t need to let that drown out all the wonderful things in our schools and in our community,” he said. “So, this is just one thing to give back to them, and let them know we’re here for them, we love them, and say happy holidays.”