The staff, students and families of New Berlin Elementary returned to school for a night of learning during "Lights!...Camera!...Action!...Learn!," a theatre-themed educational event.
Students became the "stars" of the evening when they entered the multi-purpose room as Principal Wanda Reese gave them star-shaped sunglasses and popcorn-themed 'Pop Open a Good Book' bags. Included in their bags was a coupon for a one-time free homework pass they would receive if they completed every learning station.
Stations that focused on reading, writing, math and science were situated throughout the school, including: Reader's Theatre Starring You, featuring theater-inspired masks or puppets made by students; Magic Math, allowing students to create water bottles filled with glitter and dice to practice their math skills; and Writing Rocks, providing students and their parents with a chance to practice their reading and writing skills.
"We wanted to host an event that would provide students and their parents with an opportunity to participate in learning activities encompassing many important educational areas, including reading, writing, math and science," said Principal Reese. "This event also gives parents an inside look into what their children are learning in school."
Students had the opportunity to visit two science stations: one where they had to use their senses to guess what was in the boxes they touched and the containers they smelled; and the other a Nature Exploration modeled after Pelotes Island, a field trip that was previously offered through the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA). For the Nature Exploration, which was organized by fifth-grade math and science teacher Tricia Catz, students rotated from station to station using a compass and answered questions at each stop.
In the music room, students jumped from sheet to sheet during a book walk. When the music stopped and the name of a book was called, whoever was standing on the book sheet won the book. Students also had the opportunity to buy $1 books in the art room.
Literacy pumpkins created by students in each class were on display for a silent auction in the media center. Pumpkins were themed according to different books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Goosebumps series, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Proceeds from the auction went back to each classroom that received bids.
Parents in attendance also had the opportunity to receive training to use OnCourse, the district’s new online portal that gives them access to their children's grades, attendance records and important paperwork.
A spaghetti dinner was available to all attendees for a small fee, thanks to the Northwest Jacksonville Rotary Club.
For more pictures from Lights!...Camera!...Action!...Learn!, visit the
DCPS' flickr Photostream.
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