LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Dozens of families filled a Lima City School gymnasium Tuesday, but it wasn’t for a sporting event. Instead, moms, dads, grandparents and school officials gathered to sit with students and read.
The event was part of Liberty Elementary School’s Lunch and Read program, an initiative designed to bring parents into the school and engage them in learning activities they can continue at home. Students selected a couple of books that sparked their interest before finding a spot to read with their families. Parents said they were grateful for the opportunity to be involved, and school leaders were encouraged by the turnout.
“To support my kids. I've always been involved in school with my children, so any way to help them learn, or, you know, give them a little push, I'm there for it,” said Talia Simpson, whose children attend Liberty Elementary.
“We know that our reading scores we need some improvement on. And so any help that we can get, and especially it starts at home, and having our parents read with our students at night, carries over into the school and how we can be successful,” said David Haberman, principal of Liberty Arts Magnet.
Tuesday’s event focused on Kindergarten students, but the school will host Lunch and Read sessions for second-, third- and fourth-grade classrooms as well. As an added benefit, students get to take home the books they selected.
