Read Under the Lights at PV

On Thursday, September 26th Pequea Valley School District hosted their third annual Read Under the Lights event. The idea of this event was born after three PV literacy staff attended the 2017 Literacy is for Life Conference in Hershey, PA. After hearing of another Pennsylvania district who ran a similar event, the three PV literacy staff recognized the importance of family engagement through an event like this. Hence, the birth of Pequea Valley’s Read Under the Lights event.

The evening runs in a station format and highlights high school athletes reading children’s books to PV learners elementary aged and younger. It is a valiant community effort with many raffle donations from community businesses, district employee volunteers, representation from Pequea Valley Education Foundation and district administration, a visit from a therapy dog through the KPETS program, and collaboration with the athletic director & coaches of high school athletes. This event brought 188 learners under the stadium lights on Thursday evening, which is a 64% increase from last year’s attendance.

Pequea Valley recognizes that providing exciting family engagement events like Read Under the Lights helps families feel connected to the district, increase the love of reading, and promotes participating in an extra-curricular activity such as a district sport. This event has become a tradition in the PV community and the district anticipates it to grow in the coming years.