Grant Elementary School was filled with excitement, laughter, and the joy of reading as more than 250 students, family members, and volunteers gathered for our annual Grant Family Reading Night. This year’s event celebrated our Grant School One Book selection, A Boy Called BAT by Elana Arnold, and brought our forest-themed story to life in creative and meaningful ways.
From the moment families arrived, the school was buzzing with hands-on activities inspired by the novel, A Boy Called BAT by Elana Arnold.
At the “Building a Home for a Skunk” station, students and parents worked together using a variety of blocks and materials to design habitats—just like BAT would for his skunk, Thor!
Laughter echoed through the halls during “Forest Bingo,” where many prizes were won! At the craft station, students proudly painted their own “Reading Swag Bags,” creating special keepsakes to carry books and remind them of the evening’s celebration of literacy.
Music and movement added even more energy to the night. In “Sounds of Nature,” children explored musical instruments to recreate sounds of the forest. Students also enjoyed acting out “Going on a Bear Hunt!”
In addition to the fun activities, the evening provided resources for families. Officer Mason shared important information about online safety, helping parents better understand how to keep their children safe in today’s digital world. Another station focused on supporting literacy at home, reinforcing the powerful connection between school and family involvement.
To top it all off, families enjoyed a light pizza meal together, creating time to connect and celebrate our shared reading experience.
Grant Family Reading Night was truly a community effort. With the support of our incredible volunteers and staff, the event was a wonderful success with over 250 in attendance! Most importantly, it reminded us that reading brings us together. Through stories like A Boy Called BAT, we build not only literacy skills but also imagination, empathy, and a strong sense of community.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this forest-themed evening such a memorable celebration of reading at Grant Elementary School!
